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1921a 
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COF^ilGHT DEPOSm 



DEHARBE'S 

Large Cateohism, 



TRANSLATED BY 

-A. ^^XHER OF* THE SOCIETY OF JESUS, 

OF THE PROVINCE OF MISSOURI, 

FROM THE GERMAN EDITION PREPARED 

FOE THE UiTITED STATES, 

WITH THE APPROVAL AND CO-OPERATION OF THE 

AUTHOR, 

And approved by His Grace, the Most Rev. Archbishop of St. Louis. 




New York, Cincinnati, and Chicago ; 

BENZIGEB, BROTHERS, 



PRINTERS TO THE 
HOLY APOSTOLIC SEE 



publishers of 
benziger's magazine 



ii 



3mprimatut 



JOHN CARDINAL McCLOSKEY. 

Arfihbishot of Xeiv York. 
Kew York. May 20, 1882. 



i^iljil ©tetat 



ARTHUR J. SCANLAN, S.T.D.. 



Censor Ltdroru7tz, 

3Jmprinmtur : 

•J* PATRICK y. HAYES D.D.. 
• • It 

Archbishop of N'eiv York, 
Kew York, June 29, 1921. 



• ^ " f - il- 
LC Control Number 




tmp96 028037 



--'^Ju,. 



H.20 1921 




Copyright, 1882, 1921, ev Benziger Brothers 



; APPEOBATIOKS 

i 

^ GIVEN TO 

THE ORIGHNAL EDITIOT. 

OF 

TEE3U CATECHISMS. 



St. Louis, Oct. 11, 1862.. 
I hereby give my full approbation to the *' Catholic Catechisn^ 
of Father Jos. Deharbe, S.J., newly compiled by several Catholic 
Priests, for use in the United States.'* I recommend its general 
adoption. PETER RICHARD KENRICK, 

Archbishop. 

From an autograph letter of "Father Jos. Deharbe, S.J., whicli 
lies before us, we learn that his ** Catholic Catechism, newly com- 
piled by several Catholic Priests, published by Benziger Bros./* 
has been issued not only with the '* authorization," but with the 
co-operation of the reverend compiler; we therefore renew witk 
pleasure our approbation given October, 1869, and recommend i\ 
to the teachers and clergy of our diocese. 

►.> J. B. PURCELL, 
Archbishop of Cincinnati, 



Cleveland, July 29, 1869. 
Having learned from competent and high authority that the 
&erman Catechism by Deharbe, recently revised by several Ger- 
man Catholic Priests, is the best suited for the schools of thi& 
country, I do hereby give them my full approbation, and I ex- 
press my desire that the same should be introduced in the GermaB 
Catholic schools of my diocese. + AMADEUS RAPPE, 

Bishop of Clevelandc 



La Crosse, Sept. 27, 1869. 
After having personally examined with care Deharbe's " Gate 
ichism for the United States, newly compiled by several Catholk 
Priests" (published by BeDziger Bros.), and having besides learned 
Ihe favorable judgment of experienced priests, 1 hereby cheer- 
fully give my approbation, and heartily desire its geueral adop 
Uon. >}* .MICHAEL HEISS, 

Bishop of La Crosse. 

St. Louis, Sept. 28, 1869. 
I give my approbation with the greatest satisfaction to the 
Catholic Catechism of Father Deharbe, S. J., newly compiled foi 
the United States by several Catholic Priests, and I hope that the 
jsame will be introduced in all the Catholic schools of the diocese 
oi Leavenworth. ^> J. B. MIEGE, S.J. 

Fort Wayne, Oct. 10, 18b9. 
The compilation of the Catechism of Father Jos. Deharbe, S. J., 
by several Catholic Priests, seems to me a very judicious one, and 
I therefore specially recommend this edition to the pastors of 
my diocese. •►> JOHN HENRY, 

Bishop of Fort Wayne, 

ViNCENNES, Oct. 11, 1869. 
According to what I have heard from Priests of my diocest 
who have examined this present edition of Deharbe's Catechism, 
I perceive that the same is highly appreciated by them, and 1 
desire its introduction into the German congregations of my dio 
cese. •►> MAURICE DE ST. PALAIS, 

Bishop of Vincennes, 

Alton, Feb. 10, 1870. 
The Catechism of Father Deharbe, newly compHqd by several 
€athoIic Priests for the United States, has my hearty approbation 
And recommendation. ►Ji PETER JOSEPH, 

Bishop of Alton. 

As the Catholic Catechism of Father Deharbe, S. J., newly com- 
piled by several Catholic Priests for the United States, contains 
ziothing adverse to Catholic faith and morals, I therefore give it 
my approbation and permit the pastors of my diocese to introduc«> 
it into their schools. 

-> SYL\^STER H. ROSECRANS, 

Bishop of Columbvj 



uoviNGTON, Dec. 23, Ib'ii 
Phe OatecMsms of Father Jos. Deharbe, S. J., have been a source 
of incalculable blessings to Catholic youth since their publication. 
X greet with pleasure ihe edition "newly compiled for the United 
States by several Catholic Priests, with the co-operation of the 
Author," and give it my fullest approbation. 

May the same be universally adopted m the Catholic schools oi 
my diocese. ^}, A. M. TOEBBE, 

Bishop of Covington, 

Milwaukee, Feb. 20, 1872. 

With sincere pleasure I have received the two copies of your 
aew edition of Deharbe's Catechism. It was this revision of the 
Catechism of Deharbe for the Germans in America that I wished 
for so long. Deharbe's Catechisms, both the larger and the 
smaller, have for a long time been in use in many schools of my 
diocese, especially iu Milwaukee and in the numerous convent 
(female) schools under the care of the Sisters of JSTotre Damp^ 

it is, therefore, scarcely necessary for me to declare that the 
Catholic Catechism of Father Jos. Deharbe, S. J., has my fullest 
approval, and that I specially recommend the same in its newly 
revised form to all my German clergy and teachers. 

At the same time I beg you, as publishers of this new edition 
of Deharbe's Catechism, to give it a speeay circulation. 

-;<. JOHN M. HENlSn, 
Bishop. 

Detroit, March 7, 1872. 
As the Catholic Catechism of the pious Father Joseph Deharbe, 
S, J., has received not only numerous approbations from the Pre^ 
iates of Europe, but also their warmest recommendation, and as 
the edition published by Benziger Bros, was revised by several 
Priests with the co-operation of the author, we recommend it to 
the pastors of our diocese. ►> C. H. BORGESS, 

Bishop of Detroit 

Chicago, Sept. 7, 1872. 
Learning that the Catechism of the Rev. Jos. Deharbe, S.J., 
l&as been carefully revised by several competent Priests, and has 
-ecpivod the approbation of the most listinguished and learned 
Prelates. 1 hereby recommend the same for use in the schools and 
-congregations of our diocese. »J-« THOMAS FOLEY, 

Biifraf^an Bishop and Administrator of Chicago. 



JPEEFAOE 



A THOROUGH acquaintance with the doctrines of oni 
holy Eeligion is all-important for the young as well m 
for the old, especially in our day, when Faith is grow- 
ing weak and cold, and false theories are daily gaining 
ground. What is, therefore, most needed, are books of 
Instruction, which clearly and soundly expound the 
teachings of our Holy Church. Among these are the 
Catechisms written in German by Father Jos. Deharbe^ 
S. J., which have met with general favor from clergy and 
laity, and have been already introduced in at least forty 
dioceses. Large and small editions have been published 
in Gexman, according to the needs of localities 

The better to fit these books to the pxiculiar 
circumstances of our American schools, a number 
of our ablest German clergymen co-operated, a few years 
ago, in preparing an edition expressly for the United 
States. The work was undertaken with the 
sanction of the Author, who revised and cor- 
rected their manuscript. This Edition was ap= 
proved by the Most Eev. Archbishop of St. Louis and 
recommended for general introduction by sever 3.1 of our 
Bishops, and received the strong endorsement of many 
clergymen of experience in this branch of education. 

It is of vital importance to the successful training 
of children in Christian Doctrine that our CatechismSp 
whilst suflBciently comprehensive, should be as plain ai 
possible. To attain this was the objeci which the Ameir* 
ican editors kept in view^ 



4 PREFACE, 

A short time after the revised Catechisms appeared in 
German, an English translation was begun but the 
work was unavoidably delayed, and it is only now that 
the publishers are enabled to present it to the public. 

These Catechisms are graded to suit different classes 
of pupils. Beginners are not expected to learn the 
questions or answers marked with a cross, thus, X . On 
going over the book a second time, these parts may 
be added; and at a third perusal the Scripture texts and 
all the matter in small print jnay be learned either liter- 
ally or in substance. 

The Answers in Catechisms, generally, can only be 
understood in connection with the Questions. In this 
Tolume, wherever it is possible, the Answers repeat or 
embody the Questions^ thus forming sentences complete 
in themselves. 

The Applications at the close of each paragraph em- 
body the chief points that ought to be impressed on the 
minds and hearts of the young. 

It only remains for us to express the hope that these 
Catechisms may prove as popular in English as they are 
in the original. 

May all tend to the greater glory of God, to the 
healthy growth of our holy Eeligion, and to the salva- 
tion of souls! 

STo Louis, Our Lady, Help of Christians. 1883 



LAY BAPTISM 



The Manner of Lay Persons Baptizing Infants in Dangcf 

of Death. 

Take common water, pour it on the head or face of 
the child, and while you are pouring it, say the follow- 
ing words: 

I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
ihe Holy Ghost. 

Note. Any person, whether man, woman, or child, may bap- 
tize an infant in danger of death. But a parent should never 
baptize his own child, unless no one else is at hand to baptize it 



The Six most necessary Points of Faith. 

1. There is but One God, who created and who governs 
aU. 

2. God is a just Judge; He rewards the good and pun^ 
ishes the wicked. 

3. There are Three Persons in One God: the Father, 
the Son, and the Holy Ghost. 

4. The Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, Jesug 
Christ, became man, and died on the cross to save uSo 

5. The soul of man is immortal. 

6. The Grace of God is necessary for salvation. 



BXPLANATIOH 



OF 



ABBEEYIATIOI^S A^D MAEK& 



USED IN THIS CATECHISM. 



3rh© Questions marked X may be omitted in the beginning witir«^t 
detriment to the context. 



«c.^ 



^cts signifies 


Apoc. 


<( 


Col. 


<< 


Cor. 


i( 


Dan. 


it 


Deut. 


«« 


Eccl. 


<< 


Ecclus. 


(« 


Eph. 


<< 


Exod. 


<< 


Gal. 


€i 


Gen. 


t« 


Hab. 


«€ 


Heb. 


*€ 


ts. 


€t 


Jer. 


4€ 


Lev. 


if 


Machab: 


«e 


Mai. 


i* 


Num. 


« 


Phil. 


<« 


Prov. 


<( 


Ps. 


<« 


Kom. 


<< 


8t. James 


*( 


Bt. John 


it 


I St. John 


ft 


St. Luke 


(« 


St. Mark 


it 


St. Matt. 


«( 


St. Peter 


<( 


Thess. 


c< 


Time 


• < 


Tit. 


« 


Tob. 


« 


Wisdo 


!? 


lacfeo 


M 



Acts of the Apostles. 
Apocalypse of St. John the Evangelist, 
St. Paul's Epistle to the Colossians. 

Corinthians 
Prophet Daniel. 
Book of Deuteronomy. 
Ecclesiastes 
Ecclesiasticus. 

St. Paui s Epistle to the Ephesians. 
Book of Exodus. 

St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, 
Book of Genesis. 
Prophet Habacuc. 
St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews^ 
Isaias. 

Prophecy of Jeremias. 
Leviticus. 

Book of Machabees. 
Prophet Malachias. 
Book of Numbers. 
St. Paul's Epistle to the Pbilippians. 
Proverbs of Solomon. 
Book of Psalms. 

St, Paul's Epistle to the Bomans. 
Epistle of St. James. 
Gospel of St. John. 
First Epistle of St. John. 
Gospel of St. Luke. 

*' ** St. Mark. 

** ** St. Matthew. 
Epistle of St. Peter the Apostle 
St. Paul's Epistle to the ThessaloUiaiafe 
'' Timothy, 
'' Titus. 
Book of Tobias, 

*' '* Wisdom. 
Prophet Zachar^i^ 



CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 



INTRODUCXION. 



The End for which we are 
Created. 

1. Who created us? 

God, the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth, created 
us. 

2. For what end did God create us? 

God created us that we might know Him, love Him, 
and serve Him upon earth, and by so doing gain heaven. 

3. What must we do to attain the end for which we are created? 
We must, 

1, Believe the truths which God has revealed; 

2, Keep the commandments which He has given us; 

3, Use the means of grace which He has provided. 

4. How can we learn to do these things? 

By studying the Catechism of Christian Doctrine. 

5. Of what, then, does the Catechism treat? 
The Catechism treats: 

1, Of Faith; 

2, Of the Commandments; 

3, Of the Means of Grace, namely, the Sacrament^^ 
and Prayer. 

Application. Never neglect the instruction in Christian Doc- 
trine; pay attention to the teacher, remember what you hear, 
and practice what you learn. Thus you will attain the end foj 
ixhich Almighty God created you. 



M£.ANING AND OBJECT OF FAITH. 



PART I. 



FAITH. 



§1. The Meaning and Object of Faith. 

Beginners are not expected to learn questions or answers markeidl 
Vitus X. On going over the book a second time these questions may oe 
^dded ; and at a third perusal the Scripture texts and all the matter M 
small print may be learned either literally or in substance. 

I. What do you mean when you say '* I believe"? 

When I say '^I believe/' I mean that I take as true 
what another says, precisely because he says it. 

^. What, then, is it ** to believe in God " ? 

To believe in God is, with His grace, to take as true 
all that He has said or revealed, precisely because He 
has said or revealed it. 

3. Why must we take as true what God has said or revealed? 
We must take as true what God has said or revealed^ 

because He is the Eternal and Infallible Truth. 

4. Who teaches us infallibly what God has revealed? 

The Catholic Church, which Christ has established, 
teaches us infallibly what God has revealed. 

X 5. Can we understand all that God has revealed? 

Ino; in Divine Revelation there are many mysteries 
which are beyond, though not contrary to reason. 

6, Through whom did God reveal what we are to believe? 
God revealed what we are to believe, 

1, In the Old Testament, through the Patriarchs 
Moses, and the Prophets; and 

2, In the New Testament, through His Son, Jesnt 
^rist. and the Apostles, 



MEANING AND OBJECT OF FAITH, 9 

7c How has the revelation of God come down to us? 

The revelation of God has come down to us partly m 
writing and partly by word of mouth; 

In writing — that is, by the Holy Scripture or the 
Bihle; 

By word of mouth — that is, by Tradition, 

Note. Holy Scripture means holy writing, and is, therefore, 
often called Holy Writ. Tradition comprises not only the revealed 
truths which were never committed to writing, but those also 
which, though not found in the Bible, were afterwards preserved 
in writing. The former may be called, by way of dislinction^ 
oral Tradition, and the latter written Tradition. 

8. What is Holy Scripture? 

Holy Scripture is a collection of writings inspired by 
the Holy Ghost and recognized by the Church as the 
Word of God. 

9. How is Holy Scripture divided? 

Holy Scripture is divided into the books of ^\e Old 
and the New Testaments. 

X 10. What does the Old Testament contain? 

The Old Testament contains the Revelations which 
God made to man before the coming of Christ. 

X II. Which are the books of the Old Testament? 

The books of the Old Testament are the twenty-one 
Historical Books, the seven Moral Books, and the seven- 
teen Prophetical Books. 

X 12. What does the New Testament contain? 

The New Testament contains the Kevelations which 
we have received through Jesus Christ and the Apostles. 

X 13. Which are the books of the Kew Testament? 
The books of the New Testament are: 

1, The Four Gospels written by St. Matthew^ St 
Mark, St. Luke, and St. John; 

2, The Acts of the Apostles; 

3, Fourteen Epistles of St. Paul and seven Epistlee 
^f other Apostles; 

4, The Apocalypse or the Kevelations of St. Johnc 



io MIANING AND OBJECT OF FAITH. 

14. Is it enough to believe only what is contained in Hol^ 

Scripture? 

No; we must also believe Tradition; that is, thos€ 
revealed Truths which the Apostles preached but did 
not commit to writing. 

**But there are also many other things whicn 3festm aid; 
which if they were written every one, the world itself, I think^ 
would not be able to contain the books that should be written." — 
St. John xxi. 25. 

''Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditioni 
which you have learned, whether by word or by our Epistle."— 
11. Thess. ii. 14. 

15. Why must we believe Tradition as well as Holy Scripture? 
Because Catholic Tradition and Holy Scripture were 

alike revealed by God. 

''And teach them to observe all things whatsoever I havt 
commanded you." — St. Matt, xxviii. 20. 

c6. What, then, must a Christian believe? 

A Christian must believe all that God has revealed 
and the Catholic Church teaches, whether it is contained 
in Holy Scripture or not. 

Application. Thank God for the grace of Faith, and firmly 
adhere to the teachiDg of the holy Catholic Church, because it ii 
the Word of God, 

§ 2. Necessity of Faith. 

17, Is Faith necessary for salvation? 

Faith is absolutely necessary for salvation; for ** with- 
out Faith it is impossible to please God." — Heb. xi. 6, 
*'He that belie veth not shall be condemned. "—St. Mark xvi, 16. 

r8. Will any Faith save us? 

Ko; only the true Faith, which the Catholic Churcfc 
teaches, will save us. 

€9. Why has the Catholic Church a-ione the true Faithf 

The Catholic Church alone has the true Faith because 
she alone received her Faith from Christ Himself through 
His Apostles, and has always kept it incorrupt. 

A^ppHcation. Rejoice that you are a chiia or Uie Cati..^.. 
Church ; for, as St. Augustine says, there is no wealth so creat' 
ao treasure so precious, as the Catholic Faith, because it is tr« 
only true, saving Faith, 



QUALITIES OF FAITH. t\ 



§ 3. Qualities of Faith. 

/to. What must be the qualities of our Faith? 
Our Faith must be: 

1, Universal; 2, Firm; 3, Constant; 4, a liyiMg 
Faith. 

21. When is our Faith universal? 

Our Faith is universal when we believe all the truths 
which God has revealed to us and the Catholic Church. 
teaches. 

22. When is our Faith firm? 

Oul" Faith is firm when we believe without the leas J 
doubt. 

Example. Abraham rewarded for his firm faiths Gen, xv, 6 

23. When is our Faith constant? 

Our Faith is constant when we are ready to lose aO, 
even life itself, rather than fall away from it. 

Example. The Holy Martyrs. 

X 24. What leads us to fall away from the Faith? 

1, Pride and vain prying into the mysteries of oui 
religion; 

2, Neglect of religious duties, and a wicked, impiirt 
life; 

3. Eeading of bad books or papers; 

4. Intimacy with unbelievers and scoff erSc 

^5. When is our Faith a living Faith? 

Our Faith is a living Faith, when we live up to it; that 
is, when we avoid evil and do good, as our Faith teaches, 

** As the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith withoii:^ 
works is dead." — St. James ii. 26. 

26. Is it sufficient to keep the true 7aith in our heart? 

Ko ; we must likewise profess our Faith openly and 
never deny it even in appearance. 

** Every one that shall confess Me before men, I will also con- 
fess him before My Father who is in heaven. But he that shal 
deny Me before men, I will also denv Mm before My Father mh^ 

.5 in heaven,"— St Matt. x. 32. 



^12 FIRST ARTICLE OF THE CREED-^GOD, 

?7. By what particular sign does the Catholic Christian profeet 
his Faith? 

Chiefly by the sign of the Cross. 

Application. Stand firm in the Catholic Faith and shun every- 
thing that may endanger it. Never be ashamed of it or of ita 
SM>ly practices. Make the sign of the Cross often and devoutly'. 



THE APOSTLES' CREED. 

g„ Where do we find the principal truths that we must knoTi 
and believe? 

We find them in the twelve Articles of the Apostles* 
Creed. 

So Say the Apostles' Creed. 

I believe in God, etc. (See Prayers, p. 130.) 



THE FIRST ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

^* I believe in God (lie Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and 
^rth." 

§1. God. 

3. Who is God? 

God is an infinitely perfect Spirit, the Lord of Heavec 
g^nd Earth, and the Author of all good. 

4. Why do you call God a '' Spirit"? 

I call God a ''Spirit" because he has understanding 
s^nd free-will, but no body. 

X5. Why, then, does Holy Scripture speak of God's eyes, ears, 
hands, etc. 

Holy Scripture speaks thus in order to explain God'jt 
Attributes and Acts in a manner intelligible to man. 

§0 Why do you say that God is ** infinitely perfect"? 

I say that God is ''infinitely perfect" because ITe 
'smites in Himself all perfections in the highest degrct 



FIRST ARTICLE OF THE CREED— GOD. 1 2 

^c Which are the principal Perfections or Attributes of God? 

The principal Perfections or Attributes of God are 
these: God is eternal and unchangeable, omnipresent^ 
omniscient, all- wise, all-powerful; He is infinitely holy 
and just; infinitely good and merciful; infinitely true 
and faithful. 

8. What do you mean by saying ** God is eternal"? 

By saying " God is eternal," I mean that He always 
was and always will be. 

" Before the mountains were made, or the earth and the world 
was formed, from eternity to eternity thou art God." — Ps. 
Ixxxix. 2. 

9. What do you mean by saying "God is unchangeable"? 

By saying " God is unchangeable,'^ I mean that He 
remains eternally the same, without any change either 
in Himself or in His decrees. 

** With whom (God) there is no change nor shadow of altera- 
tion." — St. James i. 17. 

10. What do you mean by saying ** God is omnipresent"? 

By saying ^'God is omnipresent,'' I mean that He is 
In Heayen, on earth, and everywhere. 

"Do not I fill Heaven and earth? saith the Lord."-- -Jer. xxii:. 
24; Ps. cxxxviii. 8-10. '* He is higher than Heaven . . . He i& 
deeper than hell. — Job xi. 18. 

11. What do you mean by saying ** God is omniscient"? 

By saying " God is omniscient," I mean that He 
knows ail things perfectly, past, present, and to come^ 
eyen our most secret thoughts. 

*' The eyes of the Lord are far brighter than the sun . . . look 
tng into the hearts of men, into the most hidden parts." — Ecc] 
jxiii. 28. 

Examples. Prophecies of Christ and of the Prophets. 

^ 12. What effects should the frequent remembrance of God's 
omnipresence and omniscience produce in us? 

1, It should keep us from eyil and incite us to good^ 
'^^ry where, eyen in secret; 

2, It should giye us courage and consolation iD 
BVMr V difficu 1 1 V an d t r i al. 



14 FIRST ARTICLE OF THE CREED~-GuD, 

**It is better for me to fall into your hands without doing itj 
(evil), than to sin in the sight of the Lord." — Dan. xiii. 23. 

*'I will fear no evils, for Thou (O Lord) art with me." — Ps. 
xxii. 4 

13. What do you mean by saying " God is all-wise"? 

By saying ^^God is all-wise/' I mean that He knowf 
how to dispose all things so as best to attain His end. 

Examples. The child Moses saved ; Joseph exalted. 

14. What do you mean by saying '' God is all-powerful "? 

By saying God is ^^all-powerful/' I mean that He caia 
do ail things by the mere power of His will. 

** Ko word shall be impossible with God." — St. Luke i. 37. 

Examples. The Creation; the miracles in Egypt and in th« 

iesert. 

X 15. To what should our belief in God's infinite power and 
wisdom incite us? 

It should incite us: 

I5 To place all our confidence in God; 

2, To be always resigned to His Holy Will. 

, ** Commit thy way to the Lord and trust in Him, and He will 
doit/' — Ps. xxxvi. 5. 

Examples. Job; Tobias. 

r6. What do you mean by saying ** God is holy"? 

By saying ^^God is holy/^ I mean that He loves and 
wills only what is good, and hates all that is eyil. 

*' Thou hast loved justice and hated iniquity." — Ps. xliv. 8. 
''I am the Lord your God; be holy because I am holy."— Ley. 

ti 44. 

%*], What do you mean by saying ** God is just "? 

By saying " God is just/' I mean that He rewards tho 
food and punishes the wicked according to each one> 

deserts. 

Perfect retribution is not to be made in this world, but in thu 
aext. 

" He will render to every one according to his works. "—=Rom. 
U. 6. 

Examples. The Deluge; the Rich Man and poor Lazarus.— 

at. Luke. xvi. 19. 



FIRST ARTICLE OF THE CREED— GOD. l^ 

l^. With what thoughts should the remembrance of God's jus- 
tice inspire us? 

It should inspire us: 

1, With a dread of offending God; 

2, With a resolution never to envy the wicked their 
seeming prosperity in this Avorld. 

** Fear not them that kill the body and are not able to kill the 
Boul; but rather fear Him that can destroy both soul and body 
into hell."— St. Matt. x. 28. 

19. What do you mean by saying *' God is good "? 

By saying ^^Grod is good/' I mean that out of the 
abundance of His love He bestows numberless blessings 
upon us and upon all His creatures. 

'' God is charity."—! St. John iv. 8. 

' ' God so loved the world as to give His only begotten Son. "— » 
St. John iii. 16. 

20. What do you mean by saying *' God is merciful "? ' 

By saying " God is merciful/' I mean that He calls 
the sinner to repentance, and graciously pardons every 
one that is sincerely penitent. 

Examples. The Ninivites; the Prodigal Son. 

X 21. Since God is so good and merciful, what should we dot 

1, We should be thankful to God, and love Him 
with our whole heart; 

3, We should confidently ask His pardon, when we 
have sinned; 

3, We should be just and merciful to our neighbor. 

^2, What do you mean by saying " God is true"? 

By saying '^ God is true/' I mean that he reveala 
nothing but truth, because He can neither deceive nor 
be deceived. 

*' It is impossible f yt God to lie." — Heb. vi. 18. 

53. What do you mean by saying ** God is faithful "? 

By saying " God is faithful/' I mean that He wiE 
surely keep His promises and execute His threats* 

" Heaven and earth shall pass away; but My words shall not 
away." — St, Matt, xxiv. 85. 



«6 FIRST ARTICLE OF THE CREED, 

X 24. How can man come to the knowledge of God? 
Man can come to the knowledge of God: 

1, By the visible world — Eom. i. 20; 

2, By the voice of conscience — Rom. ii. 15; 

3, Chiefly by Revelation — St. John i. 18. 

We can never have a perfect knowledge of God until we reach 
heaven, where we shall see Him face to lace. 

Application. Revere the Infinite God; adore Him, trust in 
Him, love Him with your whole heart. **My son, give me thy 

heart/'— Prov. xxiii. 26. 



§2. The Three Divine Persons. 

*' I believe in God the Father Almighty. ** 

^5. Why do we say: *' I believe in God the Father"? 

1, Because God is our invisible Father in heaven; 

2, Because in God there are more persons than one^ 
the first of whom is called the Father. 

z6. HoV many Persons are there in God? 

In God there are three Persons: the Father, the Son^ 
and the Holy Ghost. 

''Teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." — St. Matt, xxviii. 19. 

27. Is each of the three Persons God? 

Yes; the Father is true God, the Son is true God, and 
the Holy Ghost is true God. 

28. Are there not therefore more gods than one? 

No; the three Persons are but one God, because all 
three Persons have but one and the same nature and 
substance. 

29. How are the three Divine Persons distinguished from one 

another? 

1, The first Person is the Father, and proceeds from 
no one; 

2, The second Person is the Son begotten of the 
Father from all eternity; 

3, The tliird Person is the Holy Ghost, and pro- 
ceeds from the .Mither and the Son. 



CREATION AND GOVERNMENT OF THE WORLD, l^ 

30. Is any one of the Divine Persons older or more powerful than 
the others? 

No; all the three Divine Persons are from eternity; 
all three are equally powerful, good, and perfect, beeausa 
all three are but one God. 

]i. Which are the principal works attributed to each of the three 
Divine Persons? 

1, To God the Father is attributed the work of 
Creation ; 

2, To God the Son the work of Eedemption; 

3, To God the Holy Ghost the work of Sanctifica 
tion; 

Yet these works are really common to all the three 
Persons. 

32. What do we call the mystery of one God in three Persons? 
We call it the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, 

Application. Worship the most Holy Trinity with all possible 
reverence, never forgettiDg what you owe to the three Divine 
Persons for the benefits of Creation, Redemption, and Sanctifica- 
tion. 

Feast of the Holy Trinity. 



§ 3. The Creation and Government of the World, 

** Creator of Heaven and Earthy 

33. Why is God called *' Creator of Heaven and Earth"? 

Because God created Heaven and earth, and every- 
thing that is in them. 

^4. What do you mean by saying that God created the world? 

I mean that He made the world out of nothing bj 
His all-powerful will. 

*'He spoke and they were made; He commanded and thef 
were created. "—Ps. xxxii. 9. 

J5. Why did God create the world? 
God created the world : 

1, For His own honor and glory; 

2, For the good of His creatures^ 



11 8 FIRST ARTICLE OF THE CREED— THE ANGELS. 

36. What does God continually do for the world? 

1, Ged preserves the world by His almighty power; 

2, God governs the world by His wisdom and good* 

ness. 

X 37. Does the evil in the world also come from God? 

The moral evil in this world — that is^ sin — does not 
come from God; but the physical evils in this world— 
that is, sufferings — often come from Him. 

"You thought evil against me; but God turned it into good." 
-~Gen. 1. 20. 

Example. Joseph and his brethren. — Gen. xlvii. 

X 38. If God takes care of all things, why is there so much suffer- 
ing? 
There is so much suffering — 

1, That the sinner may mend his ways and not be 
forever lost; 

2, That the just may grow in merit and virtue. 

'*To them that love God all things work together unto good.*' 
—Rom. viii. 28. 

39. What do we call God's supreme care in preserving and gov^ 
erning the world? 

We call it Divine Providence. 

Application. ** Cast all your care upon the Lord, for He hatli 
care of you." — Ps. liv. 23. ; 1 St. Peter v. 7. Accept all things witL 
gratitude from the hand of God. Never complain if He sends 
you trials, no matter how hard it may be to bear them. *' As it 
hath pleased the Lord,* so is it done; blessed be the name of 
the Lord." — Job i. 21. Your Heavenly Father •^indirect every- 
thing to your advantage. 



§4. The Angels. 

40. Has God created only this visible world? 

God has also created an invisible world; namelyj 
countless spirits^ called Angels. 

41. In what state were the Angels when God created them? 
They were all good and happy, and endowed with ex« 

(CCillent gifts both of nature and grace. 



: 



FIRST ARTICLE OF THE cREFD—THE ANGELS, I^T 

42. Did all the Angels remain good and happy? 

No; many rebelled against God and were east into 
hell. These are called devils or evil spirits. 

*'God spared not the Angels that sinned, hut delivered them 
drawn down by infernal ropes to the lower hell, unto torments." 
—2 St. Peter ii. 4. 

43. How did God reward the Angels who remained faithful to 

Him? 

He admitted them into His presence, where they be- 
hold Him face to face and serve Him from pure love^ 
and are forever happy. 

X 44. Are all Angels equal? 

No; they differ in rank and in natural and super- 
natural perfections, and are divided into nine clasises or 
choirs. 

45. What do the good Angels do for us? 

The good Angels love us, pray for us, encourage us te 
good, and protect us from harm in soul and body, 

*'He hath given His Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in 
all thy ways." — Ps. xc. 11. 

Examples. Tobias; Lot; St. Peter in Prison. — Acts xii. 

46. What name do we give to the Angel who is set as a guardian 

over each of us? 

W^e call him our Guardian Angel. 

"■ See that you despise not one of these little ones, for I say t<?' 
you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father 
who is in heaven." — St. Matt, xviii. 10. 

Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. 

47. How do the bad Angels, or evil spirits, act towards us ? 
The bad Angels, moved by hatred and envy, seei 

to harm us in soul and body, especially by drawing 
tis into sin and thus eventually dragging us down to hell 

•'Tour adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about 
lieeking whom he may devour." — 1 St. Peter v, 8. 

Plxamples, Eve Job; Jesus tempted, the Demoniacs. — Sfc 
Matt. viii. 28. 

(^8. What must we do to avoid the snares of the evil spirits ? 

We must watch and pray, and resist temptation from 
the very outset. 



20 FIRST ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

Application. Love and venerate the holy Angels. Pray every 
day to your holy Guardian Angel; call on him especially in all 
■dangers of soul and body. Listen to his inspirations, and be 
ever mindful of his presence. 



§ 5. Man and his Fall. 

49. Which is by nature the most perfect creature on earth? 
Man is by nature the most perfect creature on earth. 

50. How did God make the first man? 

God made the first man by forming a body out of the 
earth and breathing into it ah immortal soul. 

51. How did God distinguish man from all other creatures? 
God distinguished man from all other creatures by 

<jreating him to His own image. — Gen. i. 27. 

52. How was the first man the image of God? 

Through the natural and supernatural gifts, which 
made him resemble God. 

X 53. In what do the natural gifts consist? 
Especially in these, that the human soul is— => 

1, Immortal; 

2, Endowed with understanding and free will. 

K 54. Id what did the supernatural gifts consist? 
Especially in these: 

1, That the first man possessed sanctifying grace^ 
which made him a child of God and an heir of heaven-^ 

2, That he was endowed with great knowledge, and 
'was free from all inclination to evil; 

3, That he was not subject to hardships, suffering, 
or death. 

55. Did our first Parents always preserve these supernatural giftsi 
No; by sinning they lost all these supernatural gifts 

for themselves and for their descendants, and thereby 
plunged the whole human race into the greatest misery, 

56. How did our first Parents sin? 

They believed the serpent rather than God, and dia 
obeyed God by eating of the forbidden fruit. 






MAN AND HIS FALL. 21 

57. into what misery did their sin plunge the whole human race T 
Sin with its fatal consequences passed on all mankind^ 

so that we all come into the world infected with sin. 
" Behold in sins did my mother conceive me."— Ps. 1. 7. 

58. What do we call this sin in which we are all born? 

We call it Original Sin, because we have not com- 
mitted it ourselves, but have inherited it from our first 
parents, who were the origin of all mankind. 

59. Who alone of all the descendants of Adam did not inherit 

original sin? 

The Blessed Virgin Mary, who by a special privilege 
was preserved from all stain of sin. 
Feast of the Immaculate Conception 

60. What fatal consequences have passed with original sin to al) 

men? 

1, God's displeasure, together with the loss of the 
sonship of God and of the right of inheriting the king- 
dom of Heaven; 

2, Ignorance, concupiscence, and inclination to evil; 

3, All sorts of hardships, pains, calamities, and, at 
last, death. 

61. What would have become of man, had not God shown him- 

mercy? 

No one could have received sanctifying grace an(i 
been saved. 

62. How did God show mercy to man? 

He promised him a Saviour, who should take away sin 
from him and regain for him grace and the right of 
inheriting the kingdom of heaven. 

63. To whom did God first promise a Saviour? 

To our first Parents immediately after their fall, and 
later on to the Patriarchs. 

64. Through whom did God renew the promise of a Saviour? 
Through the Prophets, who foretold many things 

about the promised Saviour. 

65. When did the promised Saviour come? 

The promised Saviour came about four thousand years 
after the creation of the world. 



2 2 SECOND ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

66. In Tvbat condition was the world at the time of our Saviour^a 
coming ? 
The whole world lay buried in idolatry and vices of 
every kind; the Jews alone acknowledged the true 
God. 

Application. My child, be a beautiful image of God, and hate 
*in, which has brought all evil into the world. **Sin maketli 
Nations miserable. "—Prov. xiv. 34. 



THE SECOND ARTICLE OF THE CREED, 

^^ And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,'* 

I, What does the Second Article of the Creed teach us? 

The Second Article of the Creed teaches us that the 
only Son of God, Jesus Christ/ our Lord, is the Saviour 
whom God promised and sent us. 

X 2. How do we know that Jesus Christ is the Saviour prom- 
ised by God? 

We know that Jesus Christ is the Saviour promised 
by God, because in Him was fulfilled all that th@ 
Prophets had foretold of the Saviour. 

Hence Jesus said to the Jews: ** Search the Scriptures . . . 
^e same are they that give testimony of me." — St. John v. 39, 

X 3. What had the Prophets foretold of the Saviour? 
The Prophets had foretold chiefly: 

1, The time and place of His birth; 

2, The circumstances of His Life, Passion, and 
Death; 

3, His Eesurrection and Ascension; 

4, The foundation and perpetual duration of Hii 
Church. 

4. What does the name Jesus signify? 

The name Jesus signifies Saviour or Kedeemer. 

*'Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His peopk 
from iheir sins." — St. Matt. i. 21. 

5. What does the word Christ signify? 

Christ (in Hebrew Messias) signifies The Anointed, 



SECOND ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 23 

6. Why is Jesus called The Anointed? 

Because in the Old Law the prophets, high priests, 
and kings were anointed with oil ; and. Jesus is our 
greatest Prophet, Priest, and King. 

7. Why is Jesus Christ called the only '* Son of God "? 
Because Jesus Christ is by nature and from all eternity 

the only Son of God, and as truly God as the Father. 

8. Are we not also children of God? 

Yes, we are children of God, but not by nature, and 
from all eternity; we are only adopted children, through 
grace. 

"But when the fulness of time was come, God sent His Sos 
, » , that we might receive the adoption of sons." — Gal. iv. 4, 5, 

X 9. How do we know that Jesus Christ is truly God? 
We know it: 

1, From the Prophecies; 

2, From the testimony of His Heavenly Father; 

3, From His own testimony; 

4, From the teaching of the Apostles; 

5, From the teaching of the Catholic Church. 

X 10. What do the Prophets call Him in their Prophecies? 

They call Him ^^God/' ^^God with us," ^^the Mo«t 
Holy, '^the Wonderful," ^^ the Father of the world to 
come." 

X II. What is the testimony of His Heavenly Father? 

At the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan, and at His 
Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, a voice from heaven 
Was heard saying, " This is my Beloved Son in whom I 
am well pleased." — St. Matt. iii. 17. 

X 12. What is the testimony of Christ Himself? 

1, Christ testified that He is the Son of God and 
true God like His Father. — St. John iii. 13, 16; 

2, He strengthened His testimony by miracles; 

3, He sealed His testimony with His death. 

1. ** I and the Father are one." — Br. John x. 30. ''He that seetb 
me seetb the Father also." — St. John xiv. 9. When solemnly 
adjured by the high priest to say if He be the Christ, the Sou of 



24 THIRD ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

God, *• Jesus said unto him: Thou hast said it." — St. Matt. xxvi. 
63. 2. *' The works that I do in the name of My Father, they give 
testimony of Me." — St. John x. 25. 

Examples. Healing of many sick; Raising of the a^ad to 
life; His own Resurrection; His own Prophecies. — St. John xi. 12. 

X 13. What did the Apostles teach of Jesus Christ? 

The Apostles taught that Jesus Christ is true God> 
and that all creatures should adore Him. 

'* Christ, who is over all things, God blessed forever." — Rom. 
ix. 5. 

*'In Him (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the God-headf 
corporally." — Col, ii. 9. 

''In the name of Jesus every knee shall bow of those thai 
are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth." — Phil. ii. 10. 

X 14. What does the Catholic Church teach of Jesus Christ? 

The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus Christ is 
true God, and of one substance with God the Father. 

This doctrine she has alwaj^s defended as the fundamental 
Doctrine of Christianity. 

Examples. The holy Martyrs. 

15. Why is Jesus Christ called our Lord? 
Jesus. Christ is called our Lord: 

1, Because He is our God; and, 

2, Because He is our Kedeemer who has bought us 
with His blood. 

Application. Often invoke with the greatest veneration the 
holy name of Jesus, especially in time of temptation. Take a 
delight in using this beautiful salutation: "Praise be to Jesus 
Christ — Forever. Amen.'' 

Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. 



THE THIRD ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

" yfTw was conceived of the Holy Ghost, horn of th£ Virgin M^'^'' " 

§ I. Incarnation of Jesus Christ. 

I. What does the Third A.licle of the Creed teach us? 

The Third Article of the Creed teaches us that the 
Son of God through the power of the Holy Ghost 






iiiJi. INCARNA TION OF JESUS CHRIST. 2 J 

became Man: that is, He took to Himself a body and 
soul like «Hirs. 

*' The Word (the Only begotten of the Father) was made fl*^sb 
and dwelt among us.' —St. John i. 14. 

2. What do we call this mystery of Christ's taking a body and 

soul like ours? 

We call this mystery the Incarnation of the Son of God, 

3. What do we believe concerning Jesus Christ ? 

We believe that Jesus Christ is both true God and 
true man; that He is God from all eternity, and became 
Man in time. 

4. How many natures are there in Jesus Christ? 

There are two natures in Jesus Christ: the divine 
nature because He is God, the human nature because 
He is man. 

X 5. Are there also two Persons in Jesus Christ? 

No; Jesus Christ is only one Divine Person who took 
to Himself a human nature. 

6. From whom did the Son of God take His human nature? 

From Mary, the purest of Virgins; therefore she ii 
also called " Mother of God." 

Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

7t Had Jesus Christ also a Father? 

As man Jesus Christ had no Father. 

* * Jesus being (as it was supposed) the son of JoseplL"— St. Luke 
iii. 33. 

8. Who was St. Joseph? 

St. Joseph was the foster-father of Jesus. 
X 9. Why did the Son of God b.ecome man? 

The Son of God became man — 

1, That He might be able to suffer and die for us; 
for as God He could neither suffer nor die: 

2, That He might teach us by His word, and leaye 
as an example which we are to imitate. 

to. How long is it since the Son of God came into the world w 
man? 

Over nineteen hundred years. 



26 THIRD ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

EI. Where was our Saviour born? 
Our Saviour was born at Bethlehem in a stable* 
Christmas. 

12. Who first came to adore the Infant Jesus? 

Devout shepherds from the neighborhood first came, 
and then the Magi or the three holy Kings from the 

East. 

13. How was the birth of Christ made known to the shepherdi 

and to the Magi? 

The birth of Christ was made known to the shepherds 
by an angel, and to the Magi by means of a wonderful 
star. 

Application. Often and with grateful heart reflect that the 
Son of God, for love of you came from heaven, and became a poor 
child. Of this you are reminded morning, noon and evening by 
the sound of the Angelus bell. Recite the Angelus with gr«at 
devotion. 

§ 2. The Youth of Jesus Christ. 

14. What took place when Jesus was forty days old? 

When Jesus was forty days old He was presented m 
the Temple at Jerusalem. 

Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Candlemaa 

15. Did the child Jesus remain always in Judaea? 

No; Joseph and Mary fled with the child Jesus into 
Egypt, because King Herod sought to take His life. 

Feast of the Holy Innocents. 

16. Where did Jesus dwell after His return from Egypt? 
Until the thirtieth year of His age Jesus dwelt at 

Nazareth with His parents, and ^^was subject to them.'' 

17. What did Jesus do at the age of twelve years? 

At the age of twelve years Jesus went with His parents 
to Jerusalem, and there remained three days in tlwi 
Temple. 

18. Why did Jesus remain in the Temple? 

Jesus remained in the Temple to teach us by His 



THE PUBLIC LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST, 2; 

example that we should take delight in prayer and in- 
atruction, and love to be in the House of God. 

X 19- What is known of the remainiog years of Christ's youth? 
The Holy Scripture tells us: ^^ Jesus advanced in wis- 
dom and age and grace with God and men/^ — St. Luke 
ii. 52. 

Application. Take the child Jesus for your model. Be devout, 
faitbful to God, obedient to your parents, and obliging towards 
others; and seek to grow in virtue as you advance in age. 



§ 3. Public Life of Jesus Christ. 

20. Where did Jesus go at the age of thirty years? 

At the age of thirty years Jesus went to the riyer 
Jordan, where He permitted St. John to baptize Him. 
He then retired into the desert, where He fasted forty 
days and nights. 

21. What did Jesus do after He had left the desert? 

After Jesus had left the desert, He began to teach in 
public and to gather around Him disciples, from among 
whom He chose twelve to be His Apostles or Messengers. 

22. What did Jesus teach? 

Jesus taught all that we are to belieye and to do in 
order to be saved. 

X 23. How did Jesus prove that His doctrme was true and 
divine? 

Jesus proved that His doctrine was true and divine—' 

1, By the holiness of His life; 

2, By miracles and prophecies. 

Jesus said to the Jews : * * Which of you can convince me of 
)\viT — St. John viii. 46. **If I do not the works of my Father, 
l)eiieve me not. But if I do, though you will not believe me, 
.believe the works."— St. John x. 37, 38. 

24. Mention some of His miracles? 

Jesus changed water into wine; with five loaves He 
fed over five thousand people; by a word He calmed the 
wmds and the waves; He cured all sorts of diseases, and 
raised even the dead to life. 



28 FOURTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

K 25. Why do we call such works miracles? 

We call such works miracles^ because tliey are beyonu 
the natural power of man, and can be ascribed only 
to the omnipotence of God. 

** No man can do these signs which Thou dost, unless God be 
^ith him."— St. John iii. 2. 

X 26. Can you mention some things which Jesus foretold? 
Jesus foretold many things known only to God: 

1, His betrayal by Judas and His denial by Peter; 

2, His sufferings and death, His Kesurrection and 
Ascension; 

3, The destruction of Jerusalem, the spreading and 
duration of His Church. 

Application. Read assiduously and meditate on the History oi 
our Blessed Lord's Life; embrace His holy doctrine, imitate His 
holy life. **For I have given you an example that, as I hav^ 
done, so you do also.'' — St. John xiii. 15. 



THE FOURTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

*** Suffered under Pontius Pilate ^ was crucified, dead and buried," 

1. What does the Fourth Article of the Creed teach us? 

The Fourth Article of the Creed teaches us that Jesus 
Christ suffered for us, died on the Cross, ana was laid 
in the tomb. 

2. What did Jesus Christ suffer for us? 

He suffered much during His whole life. At last^ 
after a terrible agony in the Garden of Olives, He wa8 
seized, mocked, scourged, crowned with thorns, and 
finally nailed to the cross. 

3. Who condemned Jesus to death? 

Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judaea, con 
denuied Jesus to death. 

4. Where was Jesus crucified? 

Jesus was crucified on Mount Calvary, near Jerusaleni^ 
Way of the Cross. 



JOURTH ARTICLE OF 'lIIE CRJ^:eD. 2C 



^ 



^. What happen ed at the death of Jesus? 

At His death the sun was darkened, the earth trem= 
bled, the rocks were rent, graves opened, and many ol 
the dead rose to life. 

Hence the captain and his soldiers confessed, '* Truly this ma& 
vvas the Son of God."— St. Matt, xxvii. 54. 

6. Was Jesus compelled to suffer death? 

No; Jesus suffered death of His own free will. 

*' He was offered because it was His own will." — Is. liii. 7. 

y 7. Why was it the will of Jesus to suffer so much and to die? 

1, To make satisfaction to the Divine Justice for 
(>ur sins, and to recover for us the grace of God and the 
fight to heaven; 

2, To give a proof of His great love for us; 

3, To teach us by His own example how to suffer 
patiently. 

** He was wounded for our iniquities. He was bruised for our 
sins." — Is. liii. 5. "Greater love than this no man hath, tha*^ a 
man lay down his life for his friends." — St. John xv. 13. " O'^rist 
also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should 
follow His steps."— 1 St. Peter ii. 21. 

8. For what sins did Jesus make satisfaction? 

Jesus made satisfaction for original sin and all the 
other sins of mankind. 

9. Why are not all men saved? 

Because all do not do what is necessary for obtaining 
salvation; that is, they do not all believe, keep the Com- 
mandments, and use tl' 5? Means of Grace given them br 
God. 

10. What happened after the death of vesus? 

After the death of Jesus His sacred side was pierced 
with a lance; then His body was taken down from the 
Cross and laid in a tomb; the tomb was sealed and 
soldiers were stationed to guard it. 

Application. Often meditate on the bitter Passion and death 
of Jesus, and never forget that for love of you He gave His life 
Live and suffer for His sake, and never crucify Him anew ic 
your heart by grievous sin. — The Crucifix. — Abstinence on Frid^. 



30 FIFTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

THE FIFTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

"'-He descended into hell, the third day He rose again from thedead,^ 

1. What is meant by the words '*He descended into hell "? 
That the soul of Jesus Christ, after His death, de- 
scended into ^^Limbo,^^ to console and set free the souls 
of the just. — 1 St. Peter iii. 19. 

Limbo was the place of rest wherein the souls of the just 
who had died before Christ were detained waiting for the time ol 
the redemption. 

2. Why were the souls of the just who had died before Christ 

detained in Limbo? 

Because Heaven was closed through sin, and was first 
to be opened by Christ. 

3. What is meant by the words: **The third day He rose again 

from the dead" ? 

They mean that the soul of Christ remained in Limbo 
until the third day, when it was, by His own power, reu- 
nited to His body, and He rose gloriously from the tomb. 

Easter Sunday. 

4. Was Christ seen after His Eesurrection? 

After His resurrection Christ was repeatedly seen I)y 
His Apostles and Disciples, who touched Him, ate and 
talked with Him. 

5. How long did Christ remain on earth after His resurrection? 
Christ remained forty days on earth, conferring vari- 
ous powers upon His Apostles, especially upon Peter, 
and leaving instructions for the good of His Church. 

6. What does the Resurrection of Christ teach us? 

1, That He is true God; 

2, That we also shall rise again; 

3, That we should rise from the death of sin to a 
new and holy life. 

**He that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead, shall also 
quicken your mortal bodies." — Rom. viii. 11. 

Application. Rejoice at the thought of your Blessed Saviour's 
triumph over death and hell. Prepare yourself by a new and 
feoly lif e for a glorious resurrection. 



SIXTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED. %t 



THE SIXTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

" He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God ihi 

Father Almighty." 

1. What do these words, *' He ascended into heaven" teach us t 
They teach us that Christ, by His own power, with His 

humanity as well as His divinity, went up into Heaven. 

Ascension Thursday. 

2. Did Christ ascend alone into Heaven? 

No; He took with Him into Heaven the souls of the 
just, whom He had freed from Limbo. — Eph. iv. 8. 

3. From what place did Christ ascend into Heaven? 

From Mount Olivet, in the presence of His Discipleac 

X 4. Why did Christ ascend into Heaven? 

1, To take possession of His glory; 

2, To be our Advocate with His Father; 

3, To prepare a place for us. 

** We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ." — 1 St, 
John ii. 2. 

5. What is meant by the words ** sitteth at the right hand of 
God"? 

They mean that Christ even as Man partakes of the 
power and glory of the Divine Majesty. — Eph. i. 20-22. 

Application. Often raise your mind and heart to heaven, 
your true home. By the grace of Jesus and by your earnest 
co-operation, you too will reach it. Let no diSiculty deter yotij 
keaven is well wortii all the pains you can take. 



THE SEVENTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

'* From then/iif He shall come to judge the limng and the dead'* 

I. What 'loes the Seventh Article of the Creed teach us? 

The Seventh Article of the Creed teaches us that 
Christ will come asrain at the end of the world with 



^ SEVl^NTH ARTiVLE OF THE CREl^Jy. 

great power and majesty to judge all men, both the good 
and the wicked. 

2. What do we call the judgment at the end of the world? 

The General Judgment, the Last Judgment, or th^ 
Judgment of the world, because then all men shall be 
judged. 

X 3. When will be the end of the world? 

When it will be no man knows; nevertheless various 
signs in heaven and on earth will precede it. — St. Luke 
ixi. 25. 

4. What are ^he things for which we shall be judged? 
We shall be judged for all our thoughts, words, works, - 

and omissions. f 

** Every man's work shall be manifest, for the day of the Lord 
shall declare it."— 1 Cor. iii. 13. 

5. What will the Divine Judge say to the just? 
He will say to the just: ^'Come, ye blessed 01 Mj 

Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the 
foundation of the Avorld." — St. Matt. xxv. 34. 

6. What will the Divine Judge say to the wicked? 
He will say to the wicked: ^^ Depart from Me, ye 

cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared tox^ the 
devil and his angels." — St. Matt. xxv. 41. 

7. What will be the result of the Last Judgment? 
The wicked shall go iiato everlasting punishment, but 

the just into everlasting joys. — St. Matt. xxv. 46. 

8. Is there any other than the General Judgment? 
Yes; there is also the particular judgment, which im- 
mediately follows death. 

**It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the 
judgment."— Heb. ix. 37. 

X 9. Why will there be a General Judgment besides this particu- 
lar judgment? 

There will be a General Judgment — 

1, That God's wisdom and justice may be acknowk 
.^ged by all men; 



SEVENTH ARTICLE OE THE CREED. 33 

2, That Jesus Christ may be glorified before t]*e 
*^h(>le world; 

3, That the just may receive the hono>* and the 
wicked the shame which they have merited. 

'* Then shall the just stand with great constancy against those 
that have afflicted them, and these seeing it shall be troubled with 
terrible fear, etc. " — Wisd. v. i. 

10. Where does the soul go after the particular judgment? 
The soul goes to Heaven, to Hell, or to Purgatory. 

XI. What is Purgatory? 

Purgatory is a place or state of punishment whereia 
by buffering for a time souls are purified. 

12 What souls go to Purgatory? 

The souls of those who have to atone for venial sins, 
or for the temporal punishment due to past sins, the 
guilt of which has been remitted, 

" Thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last 
farthing."— St. Matt. v. 26. Also: 2 Machab. xii. 46; 1 Cor. iii. 15 

13. Will there be a Purgatory after the General Judgment? 
No; after the General Judgment there will be onl] 

Heaven and Hell. 

14. What souls go at once to Heaven after death? 

1, The souls of those who die before losing their bap- 
tismal innocence; 

2, The souls of those who, having lost their baptis- 
mal innocence by sin, have not only had the guilt 
their sins remitted, but have fully satisfied by goo 
works for the punishment due to their sins. 

15. What souls go at once to hell? 

The souls of those who die enemies of God; that id, 
m mortal sin. 

Application. Think often of God's judgment. We shall have 
CO give an account of everything, even of the idle words tliat we 
have uttered. The most hidden secrets shall be brought to light. 
Hold yourself in readiness, that death may not surprise you ic 
mortal sin, and in that state deliver you over to your Judge. 



34 SIGHTtr ARTTCLE OP- TFfR CREEJDi, 

THE EIGHTH ARTICLE OF THE CREEEi. 

** I 'believe in tJie Holy GJiostJ" 

1. Who is tie Holy Ghost? 

The Holy Ghost is the Third Person of the Blessed! 
Trinity, proceeding, from all eternity, from the Fatheif 
and the Son. 

2. Where is the Holy Ghost? 

As God, the Holy Ghost is everywhere; but as .th® 
Dispenser of grace, He is especially present in the Cath« 
olic Church and in the souls of the just. 

3. When did the Holy Ghost deseetid on the Apostles? 

On Whit-Sunday the Holy Ghost descended on the 
Apostles in the form of fiery tongues, to abide forever 
with the Church. 

Pentecost. 

** I will ask the Father and He shall give you another Paraclete 
that He may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth." — St 
John xiv. 16, 17. 

4. What does the Holy Ghost perpetually do in the Church? 
The Holy Ghost teaches, sanctifies, and directs the 

Church in an invisible manner, to the end of the world* 

5. When does the Holy Ghost first come into our soul? 
When we receive the Sacrament of Baptism. 

|. Does the Holy Ghost always remain in our soul? 

The Holy Ghost remains in the soul as long as it ii 
free from mortal sin. 

y. What effect does the Holy Ghost produce in the soul? 

The Holy Ghost enlightens, strengthens, consoles, 
purifies, and sanctifies the soul; hence He is also callel 
the ^^ Comforter" and ^^ Sanctifier." 

Application. ** Know you not, that you are the temple of God, 
and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" — 1 Cor. iii. 16, 
Beware of banishing the Holy Ghost from your heart by mortal 
sin, and of grieving Him by venial sin. Often invoke the Holy 
Spirit, asking Him to enlighten, strengthen and direct yoiA 
Correspond faithfully to His inspirations. 



i 



WZNTM ARTXCIE OF THE CREsn 31 

THE NINTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED 

" The Holy Catholic Churchy the Communion of Saints,** 

§ I. The Church in General. 

€. What did Christ do in order to communicate the grace of 
salvation to all men unto the end of the world? 

Christ established His Church. 

V. How did Christ establish His Church? 

He appointed St. Peter and the other Apostles Hig 
representatives on earth, and conferred on them a power 
similar to His own, that through their ministry all mcB 
might be saved. 

*' Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent Me, so I also sen^ 
you." — St. John xx. 21. 

3. What office did Christ give the Apostles in confeiTing thie 

power on them ? 

Christ gave His Apostles — 

1, The office of Teachers, to preach His doctrine^ 

2, The office of Priests, to administer the Sacra- 
ments; 

3, The office of Pastors, to guide and rule th-^ 
faithful. 

** All power is given to Ms in Heaven ana on Earth. Going 
therefore, teach ye all nations, baptizing them in the name of the 
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them. 
to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you."— St 
Matt, xviii. 18; xxviii. 18-20. 

**Do this in commemoration of Me." — St. Luke xxiic 19. 

4. What office did Christ confer on Peter alone? 

Christ conferred on Peter alone the office of Supremt 
Head of His Church. 

'*Thou art Peter (a rock), and upon this rock I will build My 
Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And \ 
will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. And what- 
Boever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in 
Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall 1>p 
ioosed also in Heaven."— St. Matt, xvi, 18, 19, 

*' Feed My lambs, feed My sheep/'— Sl John xxi. 15-17o 



NINTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

^ is not Christ Himself the Head of the Church? 

Christ is indeed the Head of the Church, but He is 
the invisible Head; Peter, however, is the visible Head. 

6 Why did Christ appoint a visible Head over His Church? 

Because the Church being a visible community or body, 
it must have a visible Head. 

7. Was the Office entrusted to Peter and the Apostles to cease 
with them? 

No; the oflBce entrusted to Peter and the Apostles was 
00 endure to the end of the world, because the Church 
tt always to continue as Christ established it. 

This is evident from the words which Christ spoke to His Apos- 
ties when He sent them forth to exercise their office. 

" And behold I am wiiii you all days, even to the consumma- 
tion of the world."— 8t. Matt, xxviii. 20. 

'< 8< What did the Apostles do after they had received the Holy 
Ghost on Whit-Sunday? 

They went forth into the whole world, preaching ana 
^)aptizing, as Christ had commanded, and united into 
congregations all those who believed and were baptized. 

< 9, What arose from these congregations of believers? 

There arose communities of Christians, whose rulers 
were St. Peter and the other Apostles as representativesr 
of Christ. 

K 10. What else did the Apostles do, when the communities oi 
Christians increased? 

They ordained Bishops, and appointed them every- 
where as rulers of the new Christian communities, and 
authorized them to ordain and appoint others. 

X lie Were all these several Christian communities united with 
one another? 

Yes: they were all closely united with one another; 
they professed the same faith, partook of the same sacra- 
ments, and altogether formed one great Christian family 
inder one common Head, St. Peter. 

X 12. What did they call this great family of Christians under 
one common Head? 

They called ^.his great family of Christians under one 



I 



THE MARKS OF THE CHURCH. W 

common Head the Catholic, that is, the Uuiversai 
Church, or, in one word, the Church. 

13. What, then, is the Church? 

The Church is the congregation of all the faithful od 
earth, professing the true Faith, governed by their law- 
ful Bishops and united under one visible Head. 

14. Who is the visible Head of the Church? 

The visible Head of the Church is the lawful succes- 
sor of St. Peter in the Episcopal see of Kome, Our Holy 
Father, the Pope. 

15. W^o are the successors of the other Apostles ? 

The Jishops of the Catholic Church, who in com- 
munion with the Pope, as their Head, govern their 
respective dioceses, are the successors of the other Apos- 
tles. 

16. Who are the Assistants of \^^ Bishops? 

The Priests subject to them, are the assistants of the 
Bishops. 

Application. Always cherish x\ great reverence for the Holy 
Father the Pope, for the Bishops, the successors of +lie Apostles 
and for the Priests of God; they ;u'e set over you in the place of 
God, and it is their duty to instruct vou and to lead you ic 
eternal salvation. Obey them, because to them Christ has said; 
* ' He that heareth you, heareth Me, and he that despiseth you^ 
despiseth Me."— St. Luke x. 16. 

§ 2. The Marks of the Church. 

17. Has Christ established more than one Church? 

Christ has established but one Church, as He ha« 
taught but one Faith. 

Christ said, ''Upon this rock I will build My Church (not 
Churches).— St. Matt. xvi. 18. 

18. Is it easy to know this one Church established by Christ? 
Yes; for Christ established a visible Church which i& 

easily found; otherwise He could net have commandeCi 
us to hear the Church. — St. Matt. xvi,:. ""* 

19. By what marks may the true Church ot ^nnst be known? 
The true Church of Christ may De known by thesv 



iS THE MARKS OF THE CHURCH. 

four marks: 1, she is One; 2, she is Holy; 3, she is Catho^ 
lie; 4, she is Apostolic. 

20. Which Church has all these four marks? 

The Roman Catholic Church; that is, the Church 
which acknowledges the Pope of Rome as her Head. 

21. How is the Roman Catholic Church One? 

The Roman Catholic Church is evidently One because 
she has at all times and in all places — 

1, The same faith; 

2, The same Sacrifice and the same Sacraments; 

3, The same common Head. 

''One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism." — Eph. iv. 5 

22 o How is the Roman Catholic Church Holy? 
The Roman Catholic Church is Holy — 

1, Because she has a holy Founder and a holy doc* 
trine; 

2, Because she faithfully preserves and dispenses all 
the means of holiness; 

3, Because she always has Saints whose holiness 
God confirms by miracles. 

23. How is the Roman Catholic Church Catholic or Universal? 
The Roman Catholic Church is Catholic or Universal— 

1, Because she has continually existed from the time 
of Christ; 

2, Because she is spread over the entire world ; 

3, Because she always teaches the whole doctrine of 
Christ. 

24. How is the Roman Catholic Church J postolicf 
The Roman Catholic Church is Apostolic — 

1, Because her origin and her doctrine are derived 
from the Apostles; 

2, Because her Rulers, the Pope and the Bishops, 
are the lawful successors of the Apostles. 

X25. Have not the sects that are separated from the Church 
these four marks? 

The sects separated from the Church have not these 
lour marks ot the true Churchy because — 



OTHER QUALITIES OF THE CHURCH. 39 

1, They have not Christ for their founder; they 
arose centuries after Christ had established His Church; 

2, They have not the same faith and doctrine; on 
the contrary they differ one from another and are con- 
tinually changing their doctrines; 

3, They have no common Head, nor rulers who are 
the legitimate successors of the Apostles; 

4, They have not one Saint, whose holiness God 
confirms by miracles; 

5, They are not spread over the world. 

26. If none but the Roman Catholic Church has the marks of the 
Church of Christ, what is the conclusion? 

That the Roman Catholic Church alone is the Church 
established by Christ, and hence that all are bound to 
be members of that Church. 



§3. Other Qualities of the True Church of 

Christ. 

27. What other qualities has the true Church of Christ? 

The true Church of Christ is: 1, infallible; 2, imper- 
ishable; 3, the only saviag Church. 

28. Why is the true Church called ''infallible"? 

The true Church of Clirist is called ''infallible^' be- 
cause she cannot err in matters of faith and of morals. 

''The Church of God, the pillar and ground of truth.'' — 1 Tim. 
in. 15. 

X29. By whom are infallible decisions given in matters of faith 
and morals? 

They are given by General Councils approved by the 
Pope, or by the Pope alone speaking ex cathedra. 

X30. What do you mean by "speaking ex cathedra'''! 

I mean when the Pope, as Pastor and Teacher of all the 
faithful, decides for the whole Church, in a matter of 
Faith or of morals. 

31. To what is this infallibility due? 

This infaUibility is due to the assistance of the Holy 
Ghost, as promised by Christ. 



P NINTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

*'l will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Paraclete, 
that He may abide with you forever. "—St. John xiv 16- *'Bui 
when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come. He will teach you all 
truth/'— St. John xvi. 13. 

32. What do you mean by saying the Church of Christ is im^ 

perishable ? 

I mean that the Church of Christ has triumphantly 
withstood all storrr.s and persecutions, and will withstand 
them even to tLf end of the world. 

*'Thou art Pete.; and on this rock I will build my Church, 
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it/'— St. Matt. 
xvi. 18 

33. Why is the Catholic Church called the "only saving'* 

Church? 

Because she alone was established by Christ and com- 
missioned to save men^s souls. — St. Matt, xviii. 17. 

'' He shall not have God for his Father who will not have the 
Church for his Mother," — St. Cyprian, 

X 34 How does the Catholic Church save men's souls V 

iJIie s.ives men's souls by her doctrine, by her com 
mandmcnts, and by the means of grace confided to her 

by Christ 

35 What, then, are we obliged to do to save our souls V 

To- save our souls, we are obliged to believe the doc* 
trines of the Catholic Church, to observe her command* 
ments, and to use her means of grace. 

"If he will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as thft 
heathen and publican." — St. Matt, xviii. 17, 

X36. What, therefore, do we. believe by these words of th« 
Creed, "I believe in the holy Catholic Church"? 

] We believe that Jesus Christ has established an in- 
lallible Church, which we must all hear and obey if we 
vnsh to save our souls, and that this Church is no other 
than the Koman Catholic Church. 

Application. Detest the false principle, that every faith, every 
Churcli, is good. Whatever good the sects may still have, they owe 
to the Catholic Church, from which they have fallen away. Wfi 
have the entire and pure truth. Cling to it faithfully^ and ueveJ 
^ ashamed of your holv Religion. 



THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS. 4I 



§4. The Communion of Saints. 

^7. Are only the faithful on earth united as one Church? 

No; all those who have departed this life in the grace 
^f God are spiritually united to the faithful on earth. 

^8. What is this spiritual union called? 
The Communion of Saints. 

39. Who are members of this Communion of Saints? 

1, All the members of the Catholic Church on earth 
— that is, the Church militant; 

2, All the souls in Purgatory — that is, the Church 
suffering; 

3, AH the Saints in Heaven — that is, the Church 
triumphant. 

40. Why are all the members of tliis Communion spoken of as 

*' Saints"? 

Because all are called to be Saints and have been 
sanctified by Baptism, and many of them have already 
attained perfect sanctity. 

41. lu what manner are all these members united? 

They are all spiritually united as mitubers of one 
Body, whose Head is Christ; and therefore all share 
in the spiritual goods of the ( hers. 

42. How do we share in the spiritual goods of the Saints in 

Heaven? 

We share in their merits, and are assisted by their 
prayers. 

43. How do the souls in Purgatory share in our spiritual goods? 
They are assisted by our prayers, alms-deeds, the ap* 

plication of Indulgences, by other good works, but espe* 
cially by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 

'' It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that> 
they may be loosed from their sin.s." — % Machab. xii. 46. 

All Souls' Day. 

#4. Do we also share in the spiritual goods of the faithful om 
earth? 

Y.mi especially while im the state of grace^ we share la. 



42 ELEVEN/ Tff ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 

tiie masses, prayers, good works, and all the spintual 
goods of the Catholic Church. 

Application. Rejoice in being a member of the mystical Body 
of Christ, and in communion with so many Saints. Strive, how- 
ever, to be a living, holy member of the same Recommend 
yourself with confidence to the protection of your Brethren, the 
^Saints in Heaven. Pray fervently for the poor souls in Purga 
tory and for all men, especially your Brethren in the Faith. 



THE TENTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED, 

** TJie Forgiveness of Sins. ** 

t. What does the Tenth Article of the Creed teach? 

The Tenth Article of the Creed teaches, that in the 
Catholic Church we can obtain the forgiveness of sins, 
and the remission of the punishment due to them 

2. Can all sins be forgiven in the Catholic Church? j 
Yes; all sins without exception can be forgiven in the ; 

Cathdic Church. 

3, How are sins forgiven in the Catholic Church? 

Sins are forgiven through the merits of Je^us Christ 
applied to the repentant sinner, chiefly in the Sacra-* 
ments of Baptism and Penance. ■ 

V Whatsoever you shall loose upon earth shall be loosed also in 
heaven."— St. Matt, xviii. 18. 

Application. Avoid sin; but if you have sinned, do not 
:devSpair, for through God's infinite mercy and the merits of Chris'fi 
you can obtain pardon. Only have a sincere desire to amend, 
md use the means left by Christ. — See Sacrament of Penance. 



THE ELEVENTH ARTICLE OF THE 

CREED. 

'* T7i£ Resurrection of the Body.^^ 

I. What happens to man at his death? 

1'he soul, separated from the body, appears betore th^ 
judgment-seat of God, while the body returns into dust 



TWELFTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 43 

*^. How long shall the body remain separated from the soul? 

The body shall remain separated from the soul till th« 
day of the Last Judgment, when God will reunite it t© 
the soul and raise it to life. 

'* The hour cometh, wherein all that are in the grave shall hear 
the voice of the Son of God. And thev that have done good 
things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; but they 
that have done evil unto the resurrection of iudffment "—St 
John V. 28, 29. J s • 

3. What do we call this raising of the body to life? 
The ''Eesurrection of the body." 

.4. Shall all bodies be alike when raised to life? 

No: i\\^ bodies of the wicked shall be hideo'C^o and' 
wretched, while the bodies of the good shall be glorious 
and happy. 

X 5. Why shall the body rise agam*^ 

That as the body took part in good or evil works^ s^ 
also it may share iii the reward or punishment. 

Application. Never abuse your eyes, tongue, ears, hands, 05 
other members by doing evil. Do not pamper your body; keep 
.t in subjection by Christian abnegation, that it may one da^ 
rise to everlasting glory — Christian Burial. — Cemeteries. 



THL TWELFTH ARTICLE OF THE 
CREED. 

'* And Life Everlasting. Amen, ** 

g. What does the Twelfth Article of the Creed teach? 

The Twelfth Article teaches, that after this life there ie 
another in heaven, in which the just shall enjoy eternal 
happiness. 

J. What IS Heaven 1 

Heaven is the place of perfect and everlasting happ- 

nesSc 



44 TWELFTH AJ^TICLE OF THE CREED, 

X 3. In wiiat does tlie happiness of the just in heaven consist? 
The happinesB of. the just in heaven consists — 

1, In the visjon of God and union witli Him by per- 
fect love; 

2, In freedom from all evil and the blissful society 
of the Angels and Samts. 

'* Enter thoii int^^ the joy of thy Lord/'-r-St. Matt. xxv. 21. 

*' Eye hath rot seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into 
the heart of man. what things God hath prepared for those that 
;ove Him."— 1 Cgk ii. 9. 

4. Shall all t>ie just in heaven be equally happy? 

No; every one shall be rewarded according to his labors 
«>nd merits. 

" And e^^e^y man shall receive his own reward according to his 
own labor." — 1 Cor. iii. 8. 

^. Shall not the damned also live forever? 

The damned shall live forever, in hell, where they shall 
be miserable for all eternity. 

Example. The Kich Man in Hell. — St. Luke xvi. 

e. What is Hell? 

Hel] is the place of everlasting, unspeakable misery 
and torment. 

Christ calls it: ** a place of torments." — St. Luke xvi. 28; ''An 
everlasting punishment." — St. Matt. xxv. 46; '* Anunquenchfible 
fire." — St.^Markix. 44; ** The exterior darkness, where there shal) 
|oe weeping and gnashing of teeth." — St. Matt. viii. 12. 

X 7. In what does the misery of the damned consist? 
The misery of the damned consists — 

1, In the loss of God and of the joys of heaven; 

2, In the most intolerable torments of body and 
€oul; 

3, In the company of the devils and of all the damnea, 

"Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, etc.'* — St 
Matt. xxv. 41. 

X 8. How do we know that the pains of the damned are eternal? 

1, We know it from tlie clear testimony of Christ 
and the Apostles; 

2, From the Dlain teaching of the infallible Church. 



TWELFTH ARTICLE OF THE CREED. 45 

" And tbey shall go into everlasting punishment."— St. Matt 
XXV. 46. ''Their worm dieth not, aiid the fire is not extin- 
guished.'*— -St. Mark ix. 45. 

9. Shall the pains of all the damned be equal? 

No; each one shall suffer in proportion to his sins and 
to the bad use he has made of the graces bestowed on 
him. 

10. Which are the Four Last Things? 

The Four Last Things are: 1, Death; 2, Judgment; 
3, Hell; and 4, Heaven. 

** In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never 
fiin." — Ecclus. vii. 40. 

II What is the meaning of the word "Amen," with which we 
conclude the Apostles' Creed? 

The meaning of the word Amen is ^^So be it/' — ^^Thia 
I firmly believe." 

Application. Often consider this serious truth: ''Onceiost, 
forever lost;" *' Momentary joy often leads to eternal pain; but 
short pain to eternal joy." 




4^ THE COMMANDMENTS, 



PART II, 



THE COMMANDMENTS. 



I. Is it sufficient for eternal salvation to believe all that God has 

revealed ? 

No; to obtain salvation, it is not suflBcient simply to 
believe; we must also keep the Commandments. 

**If thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments." — St 
Matt. xix. 17. 

X 2. What Commandments must we keep? 

We must keep the Commandments of God and the 
Commandments of the Church. 

X 3- Are we able to keep all the Commandments? 

Yes; with the assistance of God's grace we are able to 
keep all the Commandments. 

** My grace is sufficient for thee." — 2 Cor. xii. 9. 



THE CHIEF COMMANDMENTS- 

4. Which are the Chief Commandments that include all the others? 
The Chief Commandments are the Commandment of 

the Love of God, and the Commandment of the Love of 
Our Neighbor. 

5. How are the chief Commandments expressed? 

^' Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole 
heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole 
mind, and with thy whole strength. This is the greatest 
and the first Commandment. And the second is like to 
this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." — St. Mark 
xii. 30,— St. Matt xxii* BS'- 

I 



THE LOVE OF OUR NEIGH BO^^ 47 

§ I. The Love of God. 

** Th(m sTialt love the Lord thy God,** 

6. What does the Commandment of the Love of God require 

of us? 

It requires of us to love God above all things, 

7. When do we love God above all things? 

We love God above all things when we love God more 
than all else, and would rather lose all else than be sepa- 
rated from Him by sin. 

*' Neither death nor life . . . shall be able to separate us from 
the love of God."— Rom. viii. 38, 39. 

8. Why must we love God? 

We must love God chiefly — 

1. Because He is the sovereign and mw3t perfect 
Good: 

2, Because he has loved us firsb, has bestowed num- 
berless blessings upon us, and continues daily to do so. 

*' Let \is love God, because God first hath loved us." — 1 St. 
John iv. 19. 

9. Row do we show that we love God? 

We show that we love God by doing what is pleasing 
to Him, and shunning what is displeasing to Him — in 
other words, by keeping His Commandments. 

*'He that hath My Commandments and keepeth them, he it is 
that ioveth Me."— St. John xiv, 21. 

Application. Exercise yourself in the Love of God by these 
means: often think of Him and pray to Him, do and suffer every- 
thing for His sake, and fear nothing so much as offending Him. 



§ 2. Christian Love of Self and of our Neighboro 

** Thou shalt love thy Neighbor as thyself.*' 

\o Ought we to love ourselves? 

Yes; we ought to love ourselves, but this love must ba 
well-ordered 



48 THE COMMANDMENTS' OF GOD 

XII. When is our self-love well-ordered? 
I Our self-love is well-ordered, when we subject our will to 
tlie Divine will, and are, above all things, solicitous for 
the salvation of our souls. 

** Martha, Martha, thou art careful and art troubled about 
many things. But one thiog is necessarv" (salvation of our soul). 
-St. Luke X. 41, 42. 

X 12. When is our self-love inoidinate? 
Our self-love is inordinate — 

1, When we prefer our own honor and will to the 
honor and will of God; 

2, When we are more solicitous for our bodies and 
for temporal things than for our souls and eternal things; 

3, When we seek our own welfare to the injury of 
our neighbor. 

13. T.'ho is our neighbor? , 

Every one, without exception, is our neighbor. 

X 14. WhcD do we love our neighbor as ourselves? 

W^e love our neighbor as ourselves when we obserye 
what the Holy Scripture says: 

1> ^^ See thou never do to another what thou wouldst 
hate to have done to thee by another." — Tob. iv. 16. 

2, ^''AU things therefore, wliatsoever you would thai 
linen should do to you, do you also to them." — St. Matt. 
vii. 12. 

15. What kind of love should we have for our neighbor? 

We should have for our neighbor a love that is — 1>. 
eincere; 2, active; 3, disinterested; 4, universal. 

16. When is our love for our neighbor siDcere? 

Our love for our neighbor is sincere, when we loye him: 
really as ourselves. 

17 When is our love for our neighbor active? 

Our love for our neighbor is active, when to th'j best of 
our power we do good to him. 

x8. When is our love for our neighbor disinterested? 

Our love for our neighbor is disinterested, when we do 
good to him for God's sake and not with a view to o^r^ 
own advantagec 



THE LOVE OF OUR NEIGHBOR. 49 

29. When is our love for our neighbor universal? 

Our love for our neighbor is universal, when it em- 
braces all men, whether friends or enemies. 

Example. The Good Samaritan.— St. Luke x. 

X 20. Why must we love all, even our enemies? 

1, Because our Lord has taught it by word and ex- 
ample; 

2, Because all men are children of one Father in 
heayen, redeemed by Christ's precious Blood and called 
to eternal salvation. 

"But I say to you, Love your enemies, do good to them that 
hate 3"ou, and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you 
that you may be the children of j^our Father who is in heaven, 
who maketli His sun to rise upon the ^ood and bad, and rainf^th 
upon the just and the unjust." — St. Matt. v. 44,45. " Fath« t, 
forgive them, for tl ey know not what they do." — St. Luke 
xxiii. 34. 

21. Whom does Holy Scripture particularly recommend to our 

love? 

Holy Scripture particularly recommends to our love 
the poor, the widow, and the orphan, and^ in a word, 
all who are in bodily or spiritual need. 

22. How must we assist those in need? 

We must assist those in need by the corporal and 
spiritual works of Mercy. 

** Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.** — St, 
Matt. v. 7. 

X 23. Which are the Corporal Works of Mercy? 
The Corporal Works of Mercy are these seven: 

1, To feed the hungry; 

2, To give drink to the thirsty; 

3, To clothe the naked; 

4, To visit the imprisoned; 
0, To harbor the harborless; 

6, To visit the sick; 

7, To bury the dead. 

X 24. Which are the Spiritual Works of Mercy? 
The Spiritual Works of Mercy are these seveiGi/^ 
7 To admoTDish tb^^ sinper- 



^^ - TUB TEN COMMaNIjMI^NTS, 

2, To instruct the ignorant; 

3, To counsel the doubtful; 

4, To comfort the sorrowful; 

5, To bear wrongs patiently; 

6, To forgive injuries; 

7, To pray for the living and the dead. 

Application. Be peaceable and kind to every one, especially 
to your brothers and sisters, relatives, and associates. Assist the 
needy as far as you are able. Never return evil for evil; lorgive 
and pray for those who have offended you. 



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, 

I. Where shall we find our duty to God ana our Neighbor more 
fully explained? 

In the Ten Commandments, which God gave to Moses^ 
irritten on two tables of stone. 

God giving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. — ^Exod 
xix. and XX. 

"?. Say the Ten Commandments. 

*^I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out ol 
the land of Egypt, and out of the house of bondage. 

I. Thou shalt not have strange gods before me; thou 
shalt not make to thyself any graven thing, nor the like- 
ness of anything that is in the heavens above, or in the 
earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth. Thou 
ghalt not adore them nor serve them." 

IT. " Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy 
God in vain.^^ 

III. "Eemember that thou keep holy the Sabbath- 
day.'' 

IV. y Honor thy father and thy mother that it maybe 
well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.*^ 

V. ^^ Thou shalt not kill." 

VI. '' Thou shalt not commit adultery/' 
VIL ^^Thou shalt not steal." 

VIII. ^^Thou shalt not bear false witness against 
neighbor." 

IX. *^Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife/' 
Xc ^^Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's ^oods/* 



THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF GOD. 5R 

5. How were %} ese Commandments divided? 

On the first table were engraved the first three Com- 
mandments containing our duties towards God; on the 
second table the remaining seven explaining our duties 
towards our neighbor and ourselves, 

4. What should induce us to keep faithfully the Commandments 
of God? 

1, The reverence, love, and gratitude which we owe 
to God; 

2, The hope of eternal reward and the fear of eternal 
punishment. 

"If thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments." — St 
Matt. xix. 17. 



THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF GOD. 

*'7 am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have strange gods 
before Me; thou shalt not make to thyself any graven thing , nor 
the likeness of anything that is in the lieavens above, or in the earth 
htneath, 01^ in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not ador^ 
them nm* serve them,'* 

5. What does God command by this First Commandment? 

By this First Commandment God commands us to 
pay Him due honor and adoration. 

6. How many kinds of honor do we owe God? 

We owe God two kinds of honor — namely, interior and 
exterior honor. 

7. How do we honor God interiorly? 
We honor God interiorly — 

1, By faith, hope, and charity or love; 

2, By adoration and thanksgiving for all His bless- 
ings; 

3, By obedience and resignation to His holy will. 

** The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and Him only shalt thou 
serve."— St. Matt. iv. 10. 

8. How do we sin against faith? 
We sin against faith — 

1, By infidelity, heresy, and wilful doubts or* mat- 
ers of faith; 



$2 THE TEN COMMANjJMENTi,. 

2, By reading or spreading bad books and 'writings; 

3, By using impious and profane language, or bj 
wilfully listening to it; 

4, By indifference in matters of faith, or by actual 
ieniiii of the faith. 

g. How do we sin against hope? 
We sin against hope — 

1, By despair, or distrust in God; 

2, By presumption, or false confidence in God; 

3, By vain confidence in ourselves or in other crea* 
tures. 

10. What should we hope for from God? 

We should hope, above all, for the forgiveness of oui 
§ins, for the grace of Go:!, and for life everlasting, 

isl. Why should we hope for forgiveness, the grace of God, and 
life everlasting? 

We should hope for these things — 

1, Because God, who is all-powerful, merciful, and 
truthful, has promised them to us; 

2, Because Jesus Christ has merited them for uSc 

K 12. May we also hope for temporal goods from God? 

We may also hope for temporal goods from God, but 
only in as far as they do not hinder us from obtaining 
eternal salvation. 

«3. How do we sin against charity or thn love of God? 

We sin against charity or the love of God chiefly bj 
hatred or dislike of God and His fatherly commandso 

314, How do- we honor God exteriorly? 

We honor God exteriorly by attending Divine Service, 
by bending the knee, bowing the head, and otherwise 
showing our respect. 

Examples. The child Jesus in the temple; St. Aloysius» 

%^, How do we sin against the exterior worship of God? 

We sin against the exterior vrorship of God by n^glec^, 
mg to attend Divine Service, or bj being irrever^^^if 
when present at iic 



THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF GOD, 53 

?6. In what other way can we sin against the First Command- 
ment? 

We can also sin against the First Commandment bj 
idolatry, sacrilege, superstition, witchcraft, fortune-tell- 
ing and such like practices. 

X 17 What is idolatry? 

Idolatry is the giving to any creature the honor due tc 
God alone. 

Example. Punishment of the Israelites for their Idolatry,— 
Exod. xxxii. 

%Z. What is sacrilege? 

Sacrilege is the profaning or Yiolating of holy things^ 
persons or places consecrated to God. 

Examples. Punishment of King Baltassar for desecrating the 
sacred vessels. — Dan. v. Christ casting the sellers out of the 
temple. — St. John ii. 15. 

X 19. What is superstition? 

Superstition is attributing to things, words, or signs £ 
certain power which they cannot have by nature or from 
the Church or from God. 

X 20. What is witchcraft? 

Witchcraft is the trying, by the help of evil spirits^ 
to find hidden treasures, to injure others, or to wor^ 
wonderful things. 

X 21. What is fortune-telling? 

Fortune-telling is the attempt to inquire into the future5 
or to reveal hidden things by means of signs, dreams. 
(Cards, spirit-rapping, etc. 

Note. It may easily happen that in superstitious practices. 
I'ortune-telling, etc., the evil spirit is the chief agent. 

Application. Often, every day if possible, make acts of Faiths 
Hope, and Charity. Never neglect to say your Morning and 
Evening Prayers. At Church behave with reverence, and pra^ 
with attention and devotioUe 



54 v^'ME TEN- COMMANDMENTS, 

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF GOD 

{Continued), 

The Veneration and Invocation of Saints. 

i2. What does the Catholic Church teach concerning the ventyrs^ 

tion and invocation of Saints? 

The Catholic Church teaches that it is right and good 
for the soul to honor ihc iSaiiits and praj to them. 

Feasts of the Saints. 

23. Why do we honor the Saints? 
We honor the Saints — 

1, On account of their great yirtue and sanctity; 

2, On account of their glory in heayen, where thej 
are f oreyer united to God, 

X 24. Is not the honor we pay to the Saints opposed to the honof 
due to God? 

No; the honor we pay to the Saints is not opposed t€ 
the honor due to God, for — 

1, We honor and adore God hlone as our soyereign 
Lord; but we honor the Saints only as his faithful ser° 
Tants and friends: 

2, We honor God for His own sake; we honor the 
Saints on account of the gifts they have received from 
God. 

35 Why do we pray to the Saints? 

We pray to the Saints, that by their intercession they 
may obtain for us favors from God. 

The Holy Scripture says that the Prophet Jeremias, long aftef 
ids death, ''prayeth much for the people and for all the holy 
city" — 2 Machab. xv. 14; also that '* the four-and-twenty Ancients 
incessantly offer up the prayers of the Saints at the throne of the 
Most High."— Apoc. v 8, 

X 26. Can the intercession of the Saints benefit us? 

The intercession of the Saints can benefit us very much, 

Iv If the prayers of the just on earth are so powerful 



THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF GOB, 55 

with God, how much more the prayers of the Saints m 
heaven: 

2, We know that God has granted many graces and 
worked many wonders through the intercession of the 
8aints. 

The Angel Raphael and Tobias. 

X 27. Do we not show a want of confidence in Jesus Christy 
when we ask the intercession of the Saints? 

By no means, for — 

1, We expect to obtain all we ask through the merits 
ot Jesus Christ; 

2, We address ourselyes to the Saints, because Jesus 
Christ will hear their prayers more readily than ours, 

a8. Why should we honor and pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary 
in particular? 

We should honor and pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary 
In particular — 

1, Because she is the Mother of God, and therefore 
far surpasses all the Angels and Saints in grace, virtue^ 
and glory; 

2, Because, for that very reason, her intercession 
with God is most powerful. 

29. Should we honor the images of Jesus Christ and of the 
Saints? 

We should honor the images of Jesus Christ and 
of the Saints; for if children honor the portraits of their 
parents, we certainly ought to honor the images of our 
Lord and of His Saints. 

X 30. But is it not superstitious to kneel and pray before images? 
It is not superstitious, for we do not pray to the 
images, but i\> Jesus Christ or the Saints whom they 
represent. 

31. Why do we honor the Relics of the Saints? 
We honor the Relics of the Saints — 

1, Because the bodies of the Saints were temples of 
the Holy Ghost, and will one day rise again from the 
dead to eternal glory; 

2 5 Because God has often wrought great miracles 
r&liiough their means. 



$6 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

*'Handke.v-.x,\efs and aprons which had touched the body of St 
Paul were laid on the sick; and the diseases departed from them 
and the wicked spirits went out of them." — Acts xix. 12. 

X 32. How long has the practice of honoring images and Relics 
existed in the Church? 

The practice of honoring images and Relics existed in 
the Church even in the times of tlie earliest martyrs. 

Application. Honor the Saints in Heaven with great deva 
fcion, especially the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, your Patroui 
Saiut, and St. Aloysius the Patron of Youth. Read their lives, 
and bear in .^ind that the greatest honor you can pay them, is to 
Imitate their virtues. 



THE SECOND COMMANDMENT OF GOD. 

** Thou sJialt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain '* 

?. What does God forbid by this Second Commandment? 

By this Second Commandment God forbids all profar 
nation of His holy name. 

n. How do we profane the holy name of God? 
We profane the holy name of God — 

1, By uttering it irreverently; 

2, By blaspheming; 

3, By sinful swearing and by cursing; 

4, By breaking our lawful oaths or vows. 

3. What is uttering God's holy name irreverently? 

It is uttering the holy name of God, of His Saints, or 
of holy things in jest or anger, ©r without respect. 

4. What is blaspheming? 

Blaspheming is uttering contemptuous or abusive hxk 
guage against God, His Saints, or holy things. 

" He that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, dying let hinr. 
die."— Lev. xxiv. 16. 



THE SECOND COMMANDMENT OF GOD. 57 

5. Do we commit sin by blasphemous thoughts? 

We commit sin by blasphemous thoughts, if W3 Tril- 
fully entertain them. 

6. What is swearing or taking an oath? 

Swearing or taking an oath is calling God to witness 
that we speak the truth, or that we will keep our 
promise. 

Note. To swear* 'by Heaven," **by tlie Gospel," **by the 
Holy Cross," etc., is the same as calling God to witness. 

X 7. Axe we never allowed to swear or to take an oath ? 

We are allowed to swear only in truth, and in a just 
ind important matter. 

'* Thou shalt swear in truth, and in judgment and in justice."^ 
-Jer. iv. 2. 

\ When do we sin by swearing? 
We sin by swearing — 

1, When we swear falsely or in doubt, 

2, When we swear without necessity; 

3, When we swear to do what is evil or to omit 
'^hat is good. 

X 9. What are we to think of perjury or a false oath ? 

Perjury or a false oath is a great crime, for he who 
is guilty of it — 

1, Mocks God's Omniscience, Sanctity, and Justice; 

2, Solemnly calls down God's vengeance on himself; 

3, Often does great injury to his neighbor, 

X 10. Is a person bound to keep an oath? 

Certainly; a person is bound to keep a lawful oath. 
If, however, he has sworn to do something that is evil, 
he sins in keeping his oath. 

H. What is cursing? 

Cursing is wishing evil either to one's self or to another 
or to any of God's creatures, thus dishonoring the name 
of God. 

t2. Wh^t is a vow? 

A. vo\v is a voluntary promise made to God, to do some 
ching that is agreeable to Him, even though there was 
no obligration to do it. 



|8 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

X 13. Are we bound to keep a vow? 

Yes; we are bound to keep a yow, unless it be impos* 
sible to do so. We should, however, not be hasty in 
making vows of importance; we should do so only after 
,. 'uietly and calmly considering the matter, and, in gen- 
eral, only after asking the advice of our Confessor or some 
other prudent priest. 

Example. Jephte. — Judges xi. 30. 
X 14. Is it enough not to dishonor the name of God? 

No; we must also honor and revere the name of God, 
pronounce it with respect and exert ourselves to promote 
its honor. 

*' Hallowed be Thy name."— St. Luke ii. 2. 

Application. Honor the name of God and of His Saints. 
Never pronounce those names lightly or carelessly, but with due 
reverence. Call devoutly on the name of God in time of danger. 
Avoid those who scoff a^ religion. Carefully guard against the 
shameful and sinful habix ^1 cursing and swearing. 



THE THIRD COMMANDMENT OF GOD, 

•* Bememher that thou keep holy the Sabbath- day.'' 

I. What does God command by this Third Commandment? 

By this Third Commandment God commands us to 
keep holy one day of the week, which is thence called 
the ^* Lord's Day/' 

Note. The Jews kept the Sabbath or the seventh day ; Chria- 
tians keep the Sunday or first day of the week. 

X 2. Why do Christians keep the Sunday instead of the Sab- 
bath? 

Because the Apostles appointed it so in memory of the 
Resurrection of Jesus Ohrisfc and the Descent of the 
Holy Ghost, which events took place on Sunday, 

3. How should we keep Sunday holy? 

We should above all hear Mass, as it is a mortal sin 
to neglect it ; and, if possible, also attend the other 
services of the Church, especially the sermon and Chris- 
tian Doctrine. 



THE FOUIiI\hC VOMMAJVOMENT OF ^^D. 59 

X 4. What other works of piety are recommended for the propel 
observance of Sunday ? 

The worthy reception of the Holy Sacraments, spirifc 
tial reading, and works of mercy. 

5. What is strictly forbidden on Sunday? 

All servile work, that is such bodily work as is com- 
monly performed by servants, day-laborers, and trades- 
men. 

X 6. Are those only guilty who do forbidden work themselves? 
No; those also are guilty, who without necessity re- 
quire or allow those under their charge to do such work. 

'* Six days shalt thou labor and shalt do all thy works. Bui 
on the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God ; thou shalt 
do no work on it, thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy 
man-servant, nor thy maid-servant." — Exod. xx. 8, 9. 

' 7. Is it never permitted to do servile work on Sunday? 

It is permitted as often as the honor of God, the good 
•of our neighbor or urgent need requires it. 

In doubt, we should consult our spiritual superiors. 

8. Is Sunday profaned only by servile work and neglecting to 
hear Mass? 

No ; Sunday is also profaned by revelry, intemper% 
ance, extravagant games, wild sports and amusements. 

Application. Always observe the Lord's Day in gratitude to 
' God, for His honor, for the good of your soul, and for the edi- 
fication of all. Be diligent in attending Catechism. Be not led 
away by bad companions to break the Sunday. Remember the 
temporal and eternal punishment with which God threatens such 
conduct. 



THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT OF GOD 

** Honor thy father and thy mother, that it may he well with thee, 
^mnd thou mayest live long on the earth,'* 

M. What does God command by this Fourth Commandment? 

By this Fourth Commandment God commands ch3- 
dren to show reverence, love, and obedience to theii 
parents, and inferiors to their superiors. 



OO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

z. Why must children love, revere, and obey their parents? 

Because, next to God, parents are their greatest ben^ 
factors and liold His place in their regard, 

3. When do children sin against the reverence they owe thei3 

parents? 

Children sin against the reverence they owe theif 
parents— 

1, When they disregard or despise them or are 
ashamed of them; 

2, When they speak ill of them^ or go so far as to 
eurse them; 

3, When they treat them harshly or insolently. 

**With thy whole heart honor thy father." — Ecclus, vii 29. 
" Thou Shalt honor thy mother all the days of her life " — Tobias 

iv,a 

4. When do children sin against the love they owe their parents! 
They sin against the love they owe their parents-« 

1, When they bear them ill-will or hatred, or wist 
ihem evil; 

2, When they cause them trouble or grief, or abuse 
them; 

3, When they neglect to assist them in their need<^ 
and do not pray for them, 

•* Son, support the old age of thy father and grieve him not iti 
^is lif e/* — EccluSc iii. 14. 

g. When do children sin against the obedience they owe thei? 
parents? 

They sin against the obedience they owe their parenxs— 

1, When they do not obey them at all, or obey only 
with reluctance; 

2, When they are unwilling to listen to their advice,, 
m listen to it with contempt; 

3, When they resist their corrections. 

** Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is just."— 
iSph. vi. 1« 

6. What awaits those who grievously fail to do their duty towardr 
their parents? 

The curse of God, disgrace, and dishonor In ihis worlo 
4nd eternal punishment in the world to come^ awai>^ 
nhose who grievously fail in their duty to their parenicg^ 

ExampleSc Cham, Absalom. 



THE FOURTH COMMAf^DMENT OP GOD Hy 

'•Cursed be lie that honoreth tiui liis father and mother."— 
Oeat. xxvii. 16. '' He that striketh his father or mother shaU 
be put to deatli. He that curseth his fathei or mother shall die 
the death.' — Exod. x^L 15, 17, 

3f. What awaits those who faithfully discharge their duty toward* 
their parents? 

God's blessing and protection in this world and eternaJ 
happiness in the world to come. 

"Honor thy father and thy mother, which is the first com* 
taandment with a promise: that it may be well with thee, and 
thou mayest be long-lived upon earth."— Epho vi. 2, 3, 

Examples. Sem; Isaac; young Tobias. 

8. Do we owe special honor, love, and obedience to any othera 

besides our parents? 

Yes; to our guardians, teachers^ masters, employer^ 
-and to all our spiritual and temporal superi<^rsr 

Example, Samuel,-— 1 Kings^ L 

X 9- How do servants in particular sin against their masters and 
mistresses? 

Seryants sin against their masters and mistresses — 
1, By disobedience^ obstinacy^ moroseness, and ill* 

will; 

2^ By negligence in their work, by stealing, and 

"Wasting things entrusted to their care; 

3, By calumny, detraction and tale-bearing; 

4, And most of all by setting bad example to the 
children of the house, by teaching them to commit sin^ 
leading them astray or helping them to do wrong, 

X to. From whom do spiritual and temporal superiors derivt 
their authority? 

From God Himself, who clothed them with authoritj 
for the good of their inferiors. — Eom. xiii, 1, 4. 

X ti How do we sin against our spiritual and temporal 
superiors? 

We sin against our spiritual and temporal superioiis-^ 
1, By contempt^ calumny, and impudence^ 

5, By disobedi^Ji^ *fiwi .rsbeliiou. 



M THE TEW ^iJ/M^MtdMx^£}MENTS.. 

S^o Axe we ever allowed to (lisobey oui parents, and tempomii m 
spiritual superiors! 

Yes; we are not only allowed but even bound ^o disc 
Dey them when they command us to do what is against 
the law of God, 

*^We ought to obey God rather than men.** — Acts v, 29. 

X 13- What is the first duty of parents towards their children! 

The first and most sacred duty of parents towards theii' 
children is to bring them up for uod and for heaven. 
Hence they should^ 

1, Early instil into the hearts of their children the 
fear ana love of God; 

2, Have them carefully instructed in the duties of 
omi holy religion; 

3^ Train them to a pious and virtuous life^ 

4s Watch over them aiid correct them when they dc 

wrong 5° 

&5 Set them aix example^ in word and deed,, of true 

Christian pietyo 

K 14 . JL»c those parents sin who neglect their duties towards their 
children? 

They sin grievously, become partakers of their chil 
dren^s sins, and are often the cause of their children's 
temporal misery and eternal ruin; hence they draw down 
©n. themselves the rigor of God's judgments^ 

ExamplCc Heli.— 1 Kings iv 

Application. Honor and love your parents, pastors^ teach- 
ers, and all your superiors, and show tliem gratitude. Treav 
aged persons with respect. Obey cheerfully and promptly af tex 
the example of Jesus, who, though the Son of God^ was sabjecl 
^ Mary and to Joseph. 



THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT OF GOD. 

*' Thou shall not kilV'' 
Ti, What does God forbid by this Fifth Commandment? 

By this Fifth Commandment God forbids us tct m 
jure our neighbor or ourselves^ in body or souL 



THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT OF (j;OM^, ^:^ 

a When do we injure our neighbor bodilyf 

We injure our neighbor bodily-— 

1^ When we strike, wound, or kill him unjustly^ 
2^ When by annoyance or harsh treatment we em- 
feittei or shorten his life. 

g. When do we injure ourselves bodily t 

We injure ourselves bodily— 

1, When we take away our own lives (suicide) '^ 
2p When without necessity we expose our lives to 
danger; 

3y When we impair our health by blameworthy im- 
prudence^ by intemperance and other excesses. 

4c Is quarrelling forbidden by the Fifth Commandment? 

Yes^ quarrelling, abusive words, anger, hatred^ ^nd 
anyy are forbidden by the Fifth Commandment, 

'' Whosoevex hateth his brother is a murderer,**—! St Johs 

g When do we injure oui neighbor spiritually? 

We injure our neighbor spiritually when we scandalize 

Ixiiac 

X 6c When do we scandalize our neighbor? 

We scandalize our neighbor when we incite, advise., or 
help him to do evil, command him to do it or approye 
of it; m particular- 
ly By impious or filthy language^ 
2^ By immodesty in dress; 
3^ By bad books or pictures^ 
4^ By bad example. 

y. Is scandal a great sin? 

Scandal is a very great sin, for he who gives scandal 
is a minister of Satan and a murderer of souls. 

'^ Woe to that man by whom scandal cometh/' — St. Matt.xviii.7. 
•* He that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in 
Me, it were better for him that a mill-stone should be hanged 
about his neck and that he should be drowned in the depth of 
the seAc*'— St Matt xviiL d. 



§4 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

%. What must we do when we have injured our neighbor in body 
or soul ? 

We must not only repent and confess our sin, but we 
must also, as far as it is in our power, repair the injury 
re have done. 
X 9. What does God command by the Fifth Commandment? 

By the Fifth Commandment God commands us to lire 
in peace and friendship with our neighbor, and to pro- 
mote his spiritual and temporal welfare as w^il as out 
^wn. 

The Christian also avoids cruelty to animals. 

Application. Be ever peaceable, kind, and obliging, as be- 
comes a child of God. Guard against anger and quarrellincr. 
Shun bad company as you would a serpent; and beware of killing 
your neighbor's soul by any scandalous word or deed* 



THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT OF GOa 

*• Th^u shalt not commit adultery,** 

^L What does God forbid by this Sixth Commandment? 

By this Sixth Commandment God forbids adultery an^ 
4II sins of impurity, such as unchaste looks, words, jests, 
and whatever else violates modesty or leads to impuritya 

'* All uncleanness, let it not so much as be named among youg 
is becometh Saints/* — Eph. v. 3. 

«, Why must we most carefully guard against impurity? 

Because no sin is more shameful, and no other k 
followed by such dreadful consequences. 

M 3. What are the consequenceo of impurity? 
Impurity— 

I5 Destroys body and soul; 

2, Leads to many other sins and vices; 

S, Plunges man into misery, dishonorp and shame^ 
find at last into eternal damnation. 

"^ They shall have their portion in the pool burnixng with fii?^ 
jawi brimstonec"— Apoc. xxi. 8. 

'lTan?i5le^. The Delusre^ Sodom and Gomorrha. 



THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT OF GOD. 6$ 

^ What ought we to dp when we doubt whether anything is i^ 
sin against purity? 

We ought to consult our Confessor, and, in the mean - 
ttme^ carefully avoid what we doubt about. 

ie What should we especially avoid as dangerous to holy purity? 
We should especially avoid— 

1, Curiosity of the eyesj 

2, Vanity and immodesty m dress; 

3, Evil companions, bad books and pictures; 

4, Indecent plays and dances; 

5, Too great familiarity with the other sex; 

6, Intemperance and idleness. 

% What does God command by tbe Sixth Commandment? 

By the Sixth Commanament God commands us t# 
preserve our purity and to be decent and modest at all 
times and in all places. 

^^O how beautiful is the chaste generation! for the memory 
thereof is immortal, because it is known both with God and witi 
liien„"™-Wisde iv, 1. 

% What should we do to preserve our purity? 
We should — 

1^ Often receive the Holy Sacramentt, a<nd oftei) 
pray; 

2, Eesist temptation at the outset, and recommend 
(Durselves to God and to the Blessed Virgin; 

3, Eemember that God sees everything, and that w^ 
may die at any moment. 

Examples. Joseph. — Gen. xxix. Susanna. — Dan, xiiL 

Application. Esteem and love the innocence of your soul 
*s your greatest treasure ; watch and pray that you may preserve 
lX\ shun bad companions and the occasions of sin, and whether 
f ou are alone or with others never say or do anything that mar|» 
'lot be said ©r done before your parents or yonj- pastors. 



» THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT 
OF GOa 

'^* Thou shaU not steal** 

«, What does God forbid by this Seventh Commandmentf 

By this Seventh Commandment God forbids us to m- 
fnre our neighbor in his property by robbery or thef t^ b| 
cheating, usury, or in any other unjust way. 

'^Nor thieves nor covetous shall possess the kingdom of God*" 
-«>Cor. vi, 10 

2, Who are guilty of theft? 

Those are guilty of theft who, against the will of theil 
neighbor, take anything belonging to him. 

3. When is theft called robbery? 

Theft is called robbery when the thief uses violence. 
To steal what belongs to a church is a sacrilege* 

X 4o Who are guilty of cheating? 

Those are guilty of cheating who impose upon thefe 
neighbors in their dealings; for example, by using false 
weights or measures, selling damaged articles, or passing^ 
false moneye 

** That no man overreach or circumvent his brother !n hnm.^ 
ness; because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, '^= 
1 Thess. iv. 6. 

X 5. Who are guilty of usury? 

Those are guilty of usury who take advantage of 
their neighbor's necessities to ask unlawful interest f.oi 
the money they lend. 

i. In what other ways can we injure our neighbor in bis property^ 
We can also injure our neighbor in his property — ^ 

1, By receiving or buying stolen goods; 

2, By neglecting to return what we have found ^f 
?fliat was given in our care; 

3, By failing to pay our debts when we are able to do m; 

4, By damaging other people's houses, fields, toola> 
kees, animals, or anything belonging to themo 



I 



THE EIGHTH COMMAI^VMENT OF GOD. 6f 

? 'W"hat must we do when we have ill-gotten goods, or Have 
unjustly injured our neighbor? 

We must restore the ill-gotten goods and, as far as w© 
:;an, repair the injury done; otherwise God will not 
pardon us, 

X 8. To whom must Hl-gotten goods be restored? 

Ill-gotten goods must always be restored to the owneit 
or to his heirs; or if this be impossible, iiit-y mufeC be 
oiven to the poor or some good work. When we doubt 
about the restitution or the compensation to be made^ 
we should ask the advice of our Confessor. 

% What does God command by the Seventh Commandmentf 

By the Seventh Commandment God commands us to 
give to every one what belongs to him, and to be chari- 
table to our neighbor^ 

Application. Be ever honest and just. *' Honesty is the best 
policy," and *' a little justly acquired is better than much acquired 
unjustly." Never steal anything, no matter how small, not even 
from parents u\ home. *'He that stealeth anything from his 
father or from his mother, and saith, This is no sin, is the partnei 
of a murderer." — Prov, xxviii. 24. *' Small beginnings make 
great endings.'" 



THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT OF GOD, 

'- Thou shall not hear false witness against thy neighbor. ^^ 

% What does God forbid by this Eighth Commandment? 

By this Eighth Commandment God forbids above all 
to give false evidence; that is, to tell a falsehood against 
anybody in a court of jusfcicCc Also — ■ 

1, Lies and hypocrisy; 

2, Detraction and calumny or slander; 

3, False suspicion and rash judgment, 

2. What is meant by a lie? 

A lie is the deliberate and intentional denial of the 
trutho 

'* A lie is a foul blot in a man/'— Ecclus. xx. 36. '' Lying lipf 
Ar*. «n, abominatioix to the Lord/'— Prov. xii. 22, 



6i I'HE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

3. Are we ever allowed to tell a lie? 

We are never allowed to tell a lie, not even in jest m 
for the sake of preserving ourselves or others from harm. 
We are, however, sometimes allowed, or even bound, by 
charity or the duty of our position, to conceal the truth. 

4. Who are guilty of hypocrisy? 

Those are guilty of hypocrisy who pretend to be. better 01 
more pious than they really are in order to deceive others. 

Example, The Pharisees. 

5. Who are guilty of detraction? 

Those are guilty of detraction who rob their neighbot 
of his good name, by making known his faults without 
Becessityc 

X 6. May we never makG known the faults of others? 
"We may make known the faults of others — 

1, To correct the guilty person; 

2, To guard others from being misled or harmed, 

% Who are guilty of calumny or slander? 

Those arc guilty of calumny or slander who accuse 
their neighbor of faults of which he is not guilty, or 
exaggerate the faults of which he is guilty. 

" If a serpent biteth in silence, he is nothing better that back- 
biteth secretly." — EccL x« 11. 

K 8, Is it a sin to listen to detraction or calumny? 

It is a sin— 

1, To listen with pleasure to detraction or calumny^ 

2, Not to prevent it when it is in our power j 

3, To occasion or encourage it. 

''^ Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue. '^-— 
Ecclus. xxviii. 28c 

X 9. What are we obliged to do when we have Injured the good 
Banie of our neighbor by slander? 

We are obliged to retract the slander and to repair all 
the injury we have done our neighbor. 

X XOo How must we repair our neighbor's reputation when we 
have without necessity made known true but hidden faults? 

We must try to excuse our neighbor and speak of hw 
(good qualities. 

'^'^ A good aiainni^ ii better thaii: great riches, '"^—ProVo xx. X. 



THE NINTH AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS. 69 

f I. When are we guilty of false suspicion and rash judgment? 

We are guilty of false suspicion, when without good 
or sufficient reason, we imagine evil of our neighbor; 
and of rash judgment, when without good reason, we 
lielieve the evil to be true and certain. 

*' Judge not, that you may not be judged." — St. Matt. vii. 1. 

12. What does God command by the Eighth Commandment? 

By the Eighth Commandment God commands us to 
be always truthful and to think and speak well of our 
neighboFe 

X 13. Should we be careful to preserve our own good name? 

Yes; we should, as children of God^ be careful to 
preserve our own good name, and edify our neighbor by 
a virtuous life. 

*' So let your light shine before men that they may see your 
good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven,*' — St. 
Matt. V. 16. 

Application. Detest all lies and falsehoods, for the devil is 
the father of lies. Never speak uncharitably of your neighbor? 
however, do not conceal his faults from those who can correctt 
them; let. the spirit of charity guide you hereiue Give no occft' 
sion for false suspicion or slander. 



THE NINTH AND TENTH COMMAND, 
MENTS OF GOD. 

** Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.''^ 
"^ Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.** 

t. What does God forbid by the Ninth Commandment? 

By the Ninth Commandment God forbids the desir© 
to have another man's wife, and in general all impui^ 
thoughts and desires. 

2. Are impure thoughts and desires always sinful? 

Impure thoughts and desires are sinful only when w® 
wilfully keep them in our mind, and take pleasure m 



fC mU COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH 



\ 



X 3- What does God command by the Ninth Commandment? 

By the Ninth Commandment God commands us trt 
watch over our heart and to keep it pure and holy. | 

** Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God." — Stj 
Matt. V. 8. 

4. What does God forbid by the Tenth Commandment? - 

By the Tenth Commandment God forbids all unjust f 
DO ve ting of our neighbor's goods, and, in general, all 
wrongful desire of temporal goods. 

"The desire of money is the root of all evil." — 1 Tim. vi. 10. 

X 5. What does God command by the Tenth Commandment? 

By the Tenth Commandment God commands us to 
be satisfied with what belongs to us, and not to desire 
what belongs to others. 

Application. Never dwell upon sinful thoughts. Be watchful, 
and the very moment an evil thought or desire arises within yoxx, 
ut it out of your mind; God is ever looking into your heart 
e not envious or desirous of what belongs to others. 

*' Godliness with contentment is great gainc'" — 1 Tim, vi. 6. 



THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE 
CHURCH 

1. Are we bound to keep any other Commandments besides 

the Commandments of God? 

Yes ; we are bound to keep the Commandments of the 
Church. 

2. Which are the Commandments of the Church? 
The Commandments of the Church are these six: 

I. To rest from servile work, and to hear ]\rass on 
all Sundays and Holy-days of ohligation. 

II. To fast and to aibstain on the days appointed by 
the Church. 



' WIMST COMMANDMENT OF THj& CMURCM. ;: v 

III. To confess our sins at least once a year^ 

IV. To i-eceiye Avorthily the Blessed Eucharist aJ. 
Easter or within the time appointed. 

V. To contribute to the support of our Pastors. 

VI. Not to marry within the forbidden degree oJ 
kindred, nor to solemnize marriage within the forbiddeu 
times. 

3. Has the Church the power to give Commandments? 

Yes; the Church has the power from Jesus Chrisi 
her Founder, to give Commandments; for He has author 
ized her to guide and govern the faithful in His name. 

•'^ As the Father hath sent Me, I also send 5^011." — St. John xi. 
21 ** Whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also 
Id lieaven."— St. Matt xviii. 18. 

4^ Are we bound to keep the Commandments of the Church? 

We are bound to keep the Commandments of the 
Church, under pain of grievous sin; for it is God Him- 
self who has given us these Commandments through Hi? 
Church. 

'^*' He that heareth you heareth Me, and he that despise th yoi? 
despiseth Me." — St. Luke x. 16. ** If he will not hear th« 
Church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican." — St 
Matt, xviii. 17. 

Application. Do not regard the Commandments of the Church 
as mere human laws. They have their origin from Christ, who 
gave His Church the power to make laws that bind all the faith- 
ful Observe these Commandments, therefore, with humble sub 
mission and fidelity. 



THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF THE 

CHURCH. 

•*2b rest from servile work, and to hear Mass on all Sundays and 
Holy-days of obligation. " 

1. What does the Church command by this First Commandment? 
By this First Commandment the Church commands us 
to keep holy the Sundays, and Holy-days instituted bj 
ker in honor of Our Lord and of His Saints. 



72 THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH. 

Note. In some Dioceses the observance of certain Holy-days ia 
iispensed with. Such Festivals are called suppressed Holy-days. 

2. What Festivals are observed everywhere in the United States 
as Holy- days of obligation ? 

These six : 1, The Feast of the Immaculate Concep- 
tion ; 2, Christmas; 3, The Circumcision of our Lord; 
A, The Ascension of Our Lord ; 5, The Assumption ol 
the Blessed Virgin ; 6^ The Feast of All Saints. 

Note. The suppressed Holy-daj^s are now Feasts of Devotioij 
only. The Feasts of Corpus Christ! and of the Apostles Petei 
and Paul are celebrated as to external solemnity on the following 
Sunday. 

X 3* For what purpose has the Church instituted the Feasts oi 
our Lord? 

The Church has instituted the Feasts of our Lord, to 
remind us of the principal mysteries of our redemption^ 
that by meditating thereon, we may render oy^rselves 
worthy of its graces and blessings. 

X 4. For what purpose has the Church instituted the Feasts o? 
the Blessed Virgin and of the other Saints? 

The Church has instituted fche Feasts of the Blessed 
Virgin and of the other Saints, not only to honor God 
m His Saints, but also to encourage us to ask their inter- 
cession with God, and to lead us to imitate their virtues, 

5. How are we to keep holy the Sundays and Holy-days of obliga« 

lion? 

We are to keep holy the Sundays and Holy-days ot 
obligation, by resting from servile work, and by assisting 
at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with attention and 
devotion, 

6. Who are bound to hear Mass on Sundays and Holy-days oi 

obligation? 

All who have attained the use of reason, unless ex*' 
€used by weighty reasons. 

Note. Such weighty reasons are, for example, illness^ nursing 
the sick, great distance, etc. 

7. When do we sin against the Commandment of hearing Mpss?" 
We sin against the Commandment of hearing Mass^ 

1, When through our own fault we lose Mass or ^ 

^axt of ito 



SECOND COMMANDMENT OF THE CHURCH 73 

3. When during Mass we wilfully give way to dis- 
Tactions, when we laugh^ talk^ or otherwise misbehave. 
**Tlie Lord is in His holy temple ; let all the earth keep 
filenee before Him."— Hab. ii. 20. 

j Application. Let nothing tempt you to lose Mass on Sun- 
lays and Feasts of obligation. Be not contented with assist- 
ng at a low Mass. Make it a rule to assist at high Mass and 
he afternoon service in your parish churcli. Listen atten- 
j lively to the sermon or instruction ; for, "he that is <)f God, 
aeareth the words of .God." — ^St. John viii. 47. 



THE SECOND COMMANDMENT OF THE 

CHURCH 

*To fast and to a'bstain on the days appointed "by the Church'* 
1. What does the Church command by this Second Com- 
mandment? 

By this Second Commandment the Church commands 
us to fast and to abstain from flesh-meat on certain days 
appointed fcy her. 
X 2. Which are the Fast-days appointed by the Church? 

The Fast-days are these: 1, The Forty Days of Lent, 
that is^ every day from Ash Wednesday to Holy Satur- 
day N^oon^ Sundays excepted ; 2^ The Emher Days, that 
iS;, Wednesda}', Friday and Saturday of the four Ember 
Weeks; 3, The "Vigils^^ or eves of certain great Festi- 
vals (If a Vigil falls on a Sunday it is not observed) ; 
4, In certain dioceses the Fridays of Advent. 

3. How must we fulfil the Commandment of fasting? 

On the days appointed we are allowed to take 'but one 
full meal and that not 'before noon. A very slight supper, 
commonly called a collation, is allowed towards evening, 
also a cup of coffee or tea with a morsel of bread in the 
morning. 

4. Who is obliged to fast in the manner prescribed? 
Every Catholic from the completion of the twenty- 
first year until the /beginning of the sixtieth, unless ex- 
cused for some just cause. 

Note. Those who are sick, convalescent, broken down by 
age, those who have to do hard work, or who cannot fast 
without injury to their health, are excused from fasting. In 
doubt, the Confessor or Pastor must be consulted. 



74 THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH 

5. On what days are we commanded to abstain from flesli- 
meat? 
We are commanded to abstain from flesh-meat — . 

1, On Ash Wednesday, the Fridays and Saturdays 
of Lent, the Elniber days, the Vigils of Pentecost, As- 
sumption, All Saints and Christmas. If a Yigil falls on 
a Sunday it is not oihserved. 

2, On all Fridays of the year. If a Holy-day of 
obligation falls on a Friday there is no abstinence except 
during Lent. 

Note. The Bishops of the United States are authorized by 
the Pope to make certain changes. Hence, we should attend 
to the Lenten regulations of the Diocese. 

'S, Who are bound to abstain from flesh-meat ©n the appointe<S 
days? 

All Christians who have attained the age of reason, 
unless excused by some Just cause, such as illness or 
poverty. 

X 7. Why should we conscientiously observe the days of fasting 
and abstinence? 

We should conscientiously observe the days of fastinj^ 
and abstinence — 

1, To show our obedience to the Church; 

2, To imitate the example of Christ and of Hia 
Saints; 

3, To do penance for our sins; and 

4, To subdue our evil inclinations. 

Application. Keep the Commandment of fasting as a holy 
and salutary duty, remembering Jiow God tried our first parents 
^Y the forbidd>en fruk. Let neither human respect nor vain 
excuses hinder you from t^e strict ©feeecvaace of k. 



I 



THE THIRD, FOURTH, AND FIFTH COM- 
MANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH. 



3d, ^* To confess our sins az least once a year '' 
4th, ** To receive worthily the Blessed Eucharist at Easter or witkiu 
the time appointed.'* 
5th, '* To contributB to the support of our Pastors,** 

)i. What does the Church command by the Third Command 
ment? 

By the Third Commandment the Church commanAi 



I 



VHIRD, FOURTH, AND FIFTH COMMANDMEIrTS. y% 

as to confess our sins sincerely, at least once a year, to 1 
lawfully approved priest. 

2. What do you mean by a lawfully approved priest ? 

Any priest authorized by a Bishop to hear confessions 
In his diocese. 

3. What does the Church command by the Fourth Commana 

ment? 

By the Fourth Commandment the Church commands 
as to receive Holy Communion worthily at Easter @i 
thereabouts. 

Note. The time assigned for the Easter Communion ex- 
tends from Palm Sunday to the Sunday after Eas-ter. The 
Bishop may extend this time from the fourth Sunday in 
Lent to Trinity Sunday. It is adAisahle, ^Yhen i>09sible, to 
receive Easter Communion in the parish church. 

X 4. Should we think it enough to receive Holy Communion 
once a year? 

N"o; it is the intention and most earnest desire of the 
Church, that we should very often partake of this grace. 

Application. Never neglect the sacred duty of receiving the 
Blessed Eucharist at Easter. Make it a rule, if possible, to go to 
Confession, and, with the permission of ycur Confessor, to Holy 
Communion at least once a month. 

5. What does the Church command by the Fifth Command- 
ment? 

By tiie Fifth Commandment the Church commands 
us to contribute willingly, according to our means, to 
the support of our pastors, churches, and religious in- 
stitutions. 

St. Paul says: '*So the Lord ordamed, that they who preach 
iihe Gospel should live by the Gospel." — Cor. ix. 14. 

For an explanation of the Sixth Commnndment of the Churcl^ 
f^ the Sacrament of Matrimony, page 116. 




f6 VIOLA riON OF THh COMMANDMENTS. 

THE VIOLATION OF THE COMMAND. 

MENTS, 

§ I, Sin in General. 

J|e What is sm? 

Sin is a wilful transgression of the law of God, 
a. In how many ways can we sin? 

We can sin — 

1, By bad thoughts and desires; 

2, By bad words and actions; 

3, By the omission of the good we are bound to do* 

3. Are all sins equal? 

No; there are grievous sins called mortal, and there 
are lesser sins called venial. 

4. When do we commit mortal sin? 

We commit mortal sin, when we knowingly and wil^ 
fully transgress the Law of God in a serious matier* 

5. Why are grievous sins called mortal? 

Grievous sins are called mortal because they deprive 
the soul of sanctifying grace, which is the supernatural 
life of the soul, and make it guilty of eternal death and 
iamnation, 

"Thou hast the name of being alive, and thou art dead**— 
4poc. iiic 1. 

6. When do we commit venial sin? 

We commit venial sin, when we transgress the Law ot 
God in a small matter, or without full knowledge or full 
consent of the will. 

7. Why are lesser sins called venial? 

Lesser sins are called venial, that is pardonable, be- 
cause they can be more easily forgiven, even without 
confession, by contrition and good works. 

Sc Should we dread only grievous sins? 

No; we should dread and carefully avoid every sin^ 

whether mortal or venial, as the greatest evil on earth. 

**How can I do this wicked thing, and sin against my God'?** -' 
®en. xxxix< 9„ 



VIOLATION OF THE COMMANDMENTS 7? 

X 9. What shows us best how great an evil sin is? 

1, The terrible punishment of the bad angels and oi 
our first parents; 

2, The bitter Passion and Death which Jesus Christ 
suffered for our sins; 

3, The everlasting punishment in hell, which everj^ 
mortal sin deserves. 

10. In what does the malice of mortal sin consist? 
In this, that mortal sin is — 

1, A grievous offence against God, our sovereign 
Lord; 

2, The most shameful ingratitude towards oui 
heavenly Father; 

3, A base unfaithfulness towards our gracious Re- 
deemer. 

11. What are the consequences of mortal sin? 
■ Mortal sin — 

" 1, Separates us from God, by depriving ns of His 
love and friendship; 

2, It robs us of all our merits, and of our right tc 
heaven; and 

3, It draws upon us the Judgments of God, and at 
last eternal damnation. 

** They that commit sin and iniquity, are enemies to their own 
soul.'*— Tob. xii. 10. 

Examples. Cain. The Rich Glutton. — St. Luke xvi. Judas. 

X 12. Should we also carefully avoid venial sin? 

Yes; 

1, Because venial sin is an offence against God; 

2, Because it weakens the fear and love of God in 
on: souls, and leads us by degrees to mortal sin; 

3, Because it prevents us from acquiring many 
graces and merits; 

4, Because it draws upon us temporal punishment, 
and especially that of Purgatory, 

'*He that contemneth small things, shall fall little by little.**— 
Ecclus. xix. lo 

Application. Always have a great horror for sin; ** the fear 
©f the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Beg of the Lord every 
day to preserve you from sin, and often say : I would rather di* 
Iban offend God by ^u- 



/8 VIOLATION OF THE COMMANDMENTS. 



% 2. The Different Classes of Sin. 

K 13. Wbich are the different classes of sin? 
They are — 

1, The Seven Capital or Deadly Sins; 

2, The Six Sins against the Holy Ghost; 

3, The Four Sins that cry to Heayen for vengeance^ 

4, The Nine ways of being accessory to another per<^ 
^on's sin. 

C4. Which are the Seven Capital or Deadly Sins? 

The Seven Capital or Deadly Sins are* 1, Pride; 2,, 
Covetousness; 3, Lust; 4, Anger; 5, Gluttonr; 6^ 
Envy; 7, Sloth. 

«5. Why are they called Capital Sins? 

They are called Capital Sins, because they are s<? many 
sources, from which numberless other sins flow^ 

i6. When do we sin by Pride? 

We sin by Pride, when we think too much of otir^ 
selves, consider ourselves better than others or de^pia© 
them. 

"Pride is the beginning of all sin." — Ecclus. x. 15. 

Examples. Lucifer; Nabuchndonosorj Aman, 
'X7, When do we sin by Covetousness? 

We sin by Covetousn-^ss, when we Immoderately lov© 
and seek money or other worldly goods, when we are 
hard-hearted towards others, especially towards those m 
distress, or refuse to contribute according to our means 
towards pious undertakings. 

^'' There is not a more wicked thing than to love money; im 
^ueh a one setteth even his own soul to sale." — Ecclus. x. 10. 

Examples. The Rich Glutton. Judas. 
%Z. When do we sin by Lust? 

We sin by Lust;, when we indulge in thoughts, desires, 
words or actions contrary to modesty or purity. 

See the Sixth and Ninth Commandments, 
S9. When do we sin by Envy? 
We sin by Envy when we murmur at our neighbc5>ic^ 



1 



VIOLATION OF THE COMMANDMENTS. 79 

good fortune, are sad when he is in possession of tem- 
poral or spiritual blessings, but rejoice when he la 
deprived of them, 

'*By the envy of the devil death came into the world; and 
they follow him that are of his side." — Wisd. ii. 24 and 25, 

Examples. Cain; Joseph's Brethren ; the Pharisees. 

20. When do we sin by Gluttony? 

We sin by Gluttony, when we eat or drink too much 
or greedily. 

** Their god is their belly" . „ . ** their end is destruction.**— 
Phil. iii. 19. Drunkenness is shameful, ruinous to both body 
and soul, the cause of untold misery and of eternal damnation, 
'* Drunkards shall not possess the kingdom of God.*' — 1 Cor. 
vi. 10. 

21. When do we sin by Anger? 

We sin by Anger, when we fly into a passion at what 
displeases us, use insulting or even blasphemous lam 
guage, or allow ourselves to be carried away by a desire 
of revenge. 

*' Wrath , . . is his ruin.'* — ^Ecclus. 1. 28. "Let «11 bitterness 
and anger and indignation and clamor and blasphemy be put 
away from you, with all malice." — Eph. iv 31c Esau, whilst ic 
anger, resolved to kill his brother Jacob. 

22. When do we sin by Sloth? 

We sin by Sloth, when through dislike to labor and 
exertion we waste our time and neglect our Christian 
duties and the obligations of our state. 

"Idleness hath taught much evil.** — Ecclus. xxxiii. ^ft, ''Gc 
to the ant, O sluggard, and consider her ways and learn "Bris- 
dom.*' — Prov. vi. 6. 

Example. The slothful servant.— St. Matt. xxVo 

X 23. Which are the Six Sins against the Holy Ghost? 
' The Six Sins against tlie Holy Ghost arCc 

1, Presumption of God's mercy; 

2, Despair of God's grace; 

3, Impugning the known Christian truths 

4, Envy at another's spiritual good| 

5, Obstinacy in sin; 

6, Final impenitence^ 



So FIOLATIO2V OF THE COMMANDMENTS., 

X 24. Why are they called sins against the Holy Ghost? 

They are called sins against the Holy Ghost, because 
by them we resist, in a special manner, the grace of the 
Holy Ghost 

Examples. The Jews, to whom St. Stephen said: *'You 
stiff-necked, you alw^ays resist the Holy Ghost." — Acts, vii. • the 
Impenitent Thief. Judas. 

K 25. Which lire the Four Sins that cry to Heaven for vengeancel 
The Four Sins that cry to Heaven for vengeance are; 

1, Wilful murder; 

2, Sodomy; 

3, Oppression of the poor, of widows and orphans; 

4, Defrauding laborers of their wages. 

X 26. Why are these called sins that cry to Heaven for ven- 
geance? 

They are called sins that cry to Heaven for vengeance, 
'because they are committed with great malice, and as it 
were, in defiance of God's Justice, wherefore God in 
most cases punishes them even in this life. 

The Lord said to Cain: . . . ** The voice of thy brother's blood 
crieth to Me from the earih." — Gen, ivc 10. Destruction of 
dodom. 

X 27. How many wavs are there of being accessory to another*s 
sin? 

There are Nine ways of being accessory to another's 
sin; namely: 1, By counsel; 2, By command; 3, By 
consent; 4, By provocation; 5, By praise or flattery; 6, 
By silence; 7, By connivance; 8, By partaking; 9, By 
defending the ill done. 

X 28. When are we answerable for another's sin? 

Whenever in any of those Nine ways, we are the cause 
of his sin or partakers in it. 

Application. Every morning on awaking make the resolu- 
tion carefully to guard against all sin, especially the sin you most 
frequently fall into. At night examine your conscience; if you 
find that you have sinned, repent, resolve to amend, and go to 
Confession as soon as possible. 



VIRTUE AN^tt CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. 8 1 



VIRTUE AND CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. 

1. Should we be coatent with avoiding siu? 

Xo; we should also diligently endeayor to practise 
virtue and to attain the Perfection suitable to our state 
of life. 

**He that is just let him be justified still; and he that is holy, 
let him be sanctified still." — Apoc. xxii. 11. 

§1. Virtue. 

2. In what does Christian virtue consist? 

Christian Virtue consists in the steady will and con* 
stant effort to do what is pleasing to God. 

3. How do we attain Christian Virtue? 
We attain Christian Virtue 

1, By the grace of God, and 

2, By the constant j)ractice of good. 

4. How many classes of virtues are there? 

There are two classes of virtues: Theological and 
Moral Virtues. 

5. Which are the Theological Virtues? 

The Theological Virtues are Faith, Hope and Charity. 

X 6. What is Faith? 

Faith is a divine yirtue infused into our souls, by 
which we firmly believe as infallibly true, whateyer God 
has revealed and His Church teaches. 

X 7. What is Hope? 

Hope is a divine virtue infused into our souls, by 
which we confidently expect from God whatever He 
has promised us, through the merits of Jesus Christ. 

X 8. What is Charity? 

Charity is a divine virtue infused into our souls, by 
which we give ourselves with all our heart to God, to 
the end that by fulfilling His holy will, we may please 
Him and reach a perfect union with Him^ 



82 VIRTUE AND CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. % 

9. How may we make Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity? 
(See pp. 131, 132.) 

fO. When are we obliged to make Acts of Faith, Hope and 
Charity? 

1, Often in life; 

2, In grievous temptations against these virtues; 

3, In danger of death. 

II. Which are the Four Cardinal or Principal Virtues on which 
all the other Moral Virtues rest? 

The Four Cardinal Virtues are: 1, Prudence; 2, Jus< 
tice; 3, Temperance; 4, Fortitude. 

X 12. What is Prudence? 

Prudence is a virtue which enables us not only easily 
to know and desire what is truly good, but also to apply 
the means most proper to j)ut it in practice. 

X 13. What is Justice? 

Justice is a virtue which disposes us always to do what 
is right and to give every one his due. 

X 14. What is Temperance? 

Temperance is a virtue which restrains those inclina* 
tions and desires which keep us from virtue and lead us 
to evil. 

X 15. What is Fortitude? 

Fortitude is a virtue which enables us to bear any 
hardship or persecution rather than fail in our duty. 

16. What virtues are especially opposed to the seven Capital 
Sins? 

These seven: 1, Humility; 2, Liberality; 3, Chastity; 
4, Meekness; 5, Temperance; 6, Benevolence; 7, Dili- 
gence. ' 

X 17. What is Humility? 

Humility is a virtue, which teaches us to acknowledge 
our own weakness and sinfulness, and to look upon all 
good as coming from God. 

X 18. What is Liberality? 

Liberality is a virtue which inclines us to use oul 
means for the relief of the poor or to contribute to othel* 
deserving objectSo 



d VIRTUE AND CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. 83 

, ?t ly. What is Chastity? 

Chastity is a virtue which subdues all impure incline 
ions and desires. 

>< 20. What is Meekness? 

Meekness is a virtue which suppresses all desire of re- 
^enge, and any motion of unjust anger and displeasure. 

< 21. What is Benevolence or Brotherly Love? 

Benevolence is a virtue by Avhich we wish every one 
irell, and share joy and sorrow Avith our neighbor. 

>< 22. What is Diligence ? 

Diligence is a virtue which enables us to perform all 
)ur duties with earnestness and care^ and to use every 
)pportunity for doing good. 

Application. Diligently seek to become more and more virtrs- 
Dus. Virtue is far more precious than wealtli, beauty or talents. 
V^irtue ennobles man, renders him pleasing to God, affords true 
aappiness and true honor. It is, no doubt, necessary for us to 
struggle with our corrupt nature and evil inclinations, but we 
:an do all in God who strengthens us. 



§2. Christian Perfection. 



# 



r. In what does Christian Perfection consist? 

Christian Perfection consists in this, that free from 
all inordinate or excessive love of the world and of 
ourselves, we love God above everything and everything 
in God. 

X 2. Why should we strive to attain Perfection? 

1, Because Christ our Lord says to all: '* Be you 
perfect as also your Heavenly Father is perfect." — St. 
Matt. V. 48; and: ^'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
with thy whole heart;" 

2, JBecause the more holy our life is upon earth, the 
greater shall be our happiness in heaven. 

3. Which is the best way to Perfection ? 

The best way to Perfection is the imitation of Jesus 
Christ, the Teacher and Model of holiness. 



M VIRTUE AND CHRISTIAN PERFECTION 

4. What means must every Christian use for attaining Perfection^ 
He must — 

1, LoYe prayer, attentively hear the word of God, 
and often receive the Holy Sacraments; 

2, He must perform his daily actions in the state oA 
grace and in a manner pleasing to God; 

3, He must frequently think of the presence oi 
God; 

4, He must constantly overcome and deny himself, 
a^nd to the best of his power avoid even venial sins. 

X 5- How should we deny ourselves? 

We should refuse ourselves many things that are deat 
and agreeable to us, and patiently bear what is dis» 
agreeable to us. 

*'If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and 
take up his cross daily and follow Me." — St. Luke ix. 23. 

^. What particular means for attaining Perfection has Jesus 
Christ recommended? 

The Evangelical Counsels, namely: 

1, Voluntary Poverty; 

2, Perpetual Chastity; 

3> Entire Obedience to a Spiritual Superior. 

X 7. Who are obliged to observe the Evangelical Counsels? 

All Religious^ and all those who have bound them- 
selves by vow to keep them. Whoever, after careful de^ 
liberation and fervent prayer, learns that God calls hinn 
ito the religious state, should promptly follow this voca- 
tion. 

Application. Strive earnestly to reach perfection in your statft 
of life. If you remain in the world, do not live according to the 
spirit of the world, but according to the spirit and maxims ot 
Jegiis Chrlsi. which are contained in the Eight ikaUtudea (set 




THE MEANS OF GRACE. &5 



PART III. 



THE MEANS OF G-RAOE, 



§ I. Grace in General. 

f • Can we, by our own strength, keep the Commandmenta anC' 
be saved? 

No; without the grace of God we cannot keep the 
Commandments and be saved. 

a. What do you mean by the grace of God? 

By the gi*ace of God I mean an interior, supernatural 
help or gift, which God confers on us, through the 
merits of Jesus Christ, for our eternal salvation. 

3. How many kinds of grace are there? 
There are two kinds of grace — 

1, The Grace of Assistance, called 2^^o Actual Grace: 

2, Sanctifying Grace or Halitual Grace, called alsc 
Ihe Grace of Justification, 

Sanctifying Grace remains habitually in the soul; 
Actual Grace aids us in doing any particular good act. 

§2. Actual Grace. 

4. What is Actual Grace or the Grace of Assistance? 

Actual Grace is an interior, supernatural help, by 
which God enlightens our understanding and inclines 
our will to avoid evil, and to do what is good. 

5c Is the assistance of grace necessary? 

The assistance of grace is so necessary that without it 
we cannot begin, continue, or accomplish the least thing 
towards our salvation. 

''Without Me you can do nothing," says Christ — St John 
XV. 5. '* For it is God who worketh in you both to will and v^j 
»%€Complish according to His ffood will/'— Phil. ii. 13c 



80 2W^ MEANS OF GRACE. 

6. Does God give His grace to all men? 
Yes; God gives all men sufficient grace to work 

their salvation. 

* 'God will have all men to be saved, and to come to the know!* 
edge of the truth/'— 1 Tim. ii. 4 

7. What must we do on our part, that the grace of God may lead 

to our salvation? 

We must not resist the grace of God, but faithfully 
co-operate with it. 

X 8. Can we resist the grace of God? 

Yes; we can resist the grace of God, for God's grace 
does not force the human will, but leaves it perfectly 
free. 

"To-day if you shall hear His voice, harden not your heart*/* 
— Ps. xciv, 8. 

§3. Sanctifying Grace. 

9. What is Sanctifying Grace? 

Sanctifying Grace is an unmerited, supernatural gift^ 
which the Holy Ghost communicates to our soul and 
which renders us just and holy before God. 

so. Why is Sanctifying Grace called an unmerited gift? 

Because it is an entirely free gift:coming from the love 
of God. 

**For all , , . are justified freely (^.^., without their desert) 
by His Grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. "-= , 
Eom. iiL 24. 

XII. Why is Sanctifying Grace called also the Grace of Justifi- 
cation? 

Because by Sanctifying Grace we are justified — that 
is, we pass from the state of sin to the state of righteous* 
ness and holiness. 

E2. When does the sinner first receive Sanctifying Grace? 

He first receives Sanctifying Grace in the Holy %wa^ 
ment of Baptism. 

53. How is Sanctifying Grace lost? 
Sanctifying Grace is lost by mortal sin. 



THE MEANS OF GRACE %J 

14. How can we recover Sanctifying Grace if we have lost it? 
We can lecover Sanctifying Grace in the Sacrament of 

Penance. 

15. What fruits does the justified man produce by the help o? 

grace? 

He produces good, that is meritorious, works; for 
^' every good tree bringeth forth good fruit." — St. Matto 
T]i. 17. 

]t6. Can we do no good when we are in the state of mortal sinf 

When we are in mortal sin we can do good, but cannot 
merit Heaven. 

X 17. Is, then, the good done in mortal sin useless? 

]N"o; the good done in mortal sin is very useful for 
obtaining from God's mercy the grace of conversion, and 
sometimes for turning aside temporal punishment. 

The Centurion Cornelius. — Actsx. — ; the Ninivites. — Jonas iil 

18. What do we merit by the good works which we do in ths 

state of grace ? 

By the good works which we do in the state of grac^ 
we merit 

1, An increase of sanctifying grace; 

2, Eternal salvation. 

19. Is every Christian bound to do good works? 

Yes; for ^^ every tree that doth not yield good fruit 
shall be cut down and cast into the fire.'^ — St. Matt, iii* 10, 

Parable of the Talents. 

20. Wliat good works ought we especiaHy to perform? 

Those which belong to the observance of the com* 
mandments, and which are necessary or useful to fulfil 
the duties of our state of life. 

X 21. What other good works are especially recommended \n 
Holy Scripture? 

Prayer, Fasting, and Alms; by which in general are 
^inderstood the works of devotion, mortification an^ 
charity. 

''Prayer is good with fasting and alms, more than to lay up 
treasures of gold."— Tob, xii. 80 



88 THE SACRAMENTS 

22. What does God especially consider m our good works? 

Our good intention; for a bad intention destroys the 
Bffect of our otherwise good works. 

Examples. Prayer, Fasting and Alms of the Pharisees — St 
matt. vi. 

S3. What is a good intention? 

A good intention is the purpose to serve and honot 
God in all our works. 

** Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do aB 
to the glory of God."— 1 Cor. x. 31. 

24. How may we briefly make a good intention? 

We may say, ^'My Lord and my God, all for Thy 
tonor/^ or, ^^ Jesus, for love of Thee.^^ 

25. When should we make a good intention? 

We should make a good intention often during th# 
day, and especially in the morning. 

26. What special means must we use to obtain grace? 
The Holy Sacraments and Prayer. 

Application. Yalue sanctifying grace above everything^ it ia 
the most precious gift of God, the '* pearl,'* **the wedding gar- 
ment," spoken of in the Gospel. Carefully guard it; strive daily 
to increase it by prayer and good works ; beg of God m particular 
the grace of Perseverance. '' Labor, that by good works you ma]^ 
make sure your calling and election." — 2 St, Peter i. 10. 



THE SACRAMENTS. 



t« What IS a Sacrament? 

A Sacrament is an outtvard sign of iniuard grace^ o! 
a sacred and mysterious sign and ceremony ordained ht 
Christy by which grace is conveyed to our souls. 

2. How many things are necessary to constitute a Sacrament? 

Three things are necessary to constitute a Sacrament 
mamely: 

1, An outward sign; 

%y An inward grace; 

3, The institution of Obrist. 



FHE SACRAMENTS. 89 

^ What graces do the Sacraments confer? 

1, All the Sacraments either give or increase sanctU 
tying grace; 

2, Each Sacrament gives special greices. 

X 4. How must we receive the Sacraments, in order that thejf 
may produce their graces in us? 

We must receive the Sacraments worthily, 

X 5. What sin does he commit who receives a Sacrament iin 
worthily? 

He commits a very grievous sin — a Sacrilege. 

*^. Whence have the Sacraments the power of giving grace? 

The Sacraments have the power of giving grace from 
the merits of Jesus Christ, by whom they were instituted, 

^. How many Sacraments did Christ institute? 

Christ instituted Seven Sacraments, namely : 1, Bap- 
tism; 2, Confirmation; 3, Holy Eucharist; 4, Penance; 
5^ Extreme Unction; 6, Holy Orders; 7, Matrimony. 

Note. The Catholic Church, the ** pillar and ground of Truth, * 
has taught so from the beginning, as is attested even by the sects, 
which in the first centuries separated themselves from her, 

8. How are the Sacraments divided? 

The Sacraments are divided into Sacraments of th© 
living, and Sacraments of the dead. 

0, Which are the Sacraments of the living? 
The Sacraments of the living are: 

1, Confirmation; 

2, Holy Eucharist; 

3, Extreme Unction| 

4, Holy Orders; 

5, Matrimony, 

'X 10. Why are they called Sacraments of the Umngf 

Because, to receive them worthily^ we must ^e m th# 
ttate of grace. 

tt. Which are the Sacraments of the dead? 

The Sacraments of the dei\d are these two^ Baptism 

^^.d Penan^?e. 



j.^ BAPTISM ^ ■ 

X £2,v Why are they called Sacraments of the deadf 

BecausGj to receive them worthily, we are not reqmr^d 
to be in the state of grace. 

t% How often can the Sacraments be received ^^ 

Some Sacraments can be received but once^^ and others 
more than once. 

24. Which Sacraments can be received but once? 
These three." Baptism, Confirmation, and Foiy Or^- 

derso 

X IS- Why can these be received but once? 
Because they imprint an indelible character on th»i 

gouL 

Application. Give fervent thanks to God for the Holy SsiCra 
ments, those precious channels of grace, through wliich the merits 
of Jesus Christ flow to us to cleanse and sanctify our souls. Maki 
^ j^roper use of them, and beware of receiving them unworthily 



APTISMo 

Be Which is the nrst ana most necessary Sacrament^ 
Baptism is the first and most necessary Sacramenli^ 

go Why is Baptism the first Sacrament? 

Because no Sacrament can be validly received bef or ^ 
Baptismc 

3= Why is Baptism the most necessary Sacrament? 
Because without Baptism }io one can be caved. 

** Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he 
eannot enter into the Kingdom of God." — St. John iii. 5. '* Going 
therefore teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of 
the Fatherland of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."— St. Matt 
xxviii. 19. 

4. What is Baptism? 

Baptism is a Sacrament in which, by water and the 
word of God, we are cleansed from all sin, sanctified in 
Christ, and born again to eternal lifco 



^ Bow IS Baptism glTen <- 

Baptism is given by pouring water on the head of th© 
person to be baptized and saying at the same time the 
words; Ilaptize thee in the name of the Father\ and oj 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

It is, of course, necessary to have the intention to baptize. 
BaptismM water, or, if this be not at hand, natural water mas'., 
be usedc If the water cannot be poured on the head, U may b» 
poured on any other part of the body 

60 From what sins are we cleansed in Baptism f 

In Baptism we are cleansed from original sin and txoj 
all sins committed before Baptisme 

7. Is the punishment due to sin forgiven m Baptism? 

Yes^ temporal as wei* as eternal punishme t xs t^t- 
given in Baptism 

ic How are we sanctified and born again in Baptism I 

In Baptism we receive sanctifying grace axxd are m^.de 
children of God, members of tlie Church of Chript, a_:d 
teirs of heaven. 

% 9c What is infused into the soul in Baptism, t jg ther with sane 
tifying grace? 

The Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity 
are infused into the soul in Baptism. 

** The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts by t".r Holj 
Ghost^ who is given to us." — Rom. v. o. 

SO. Who can administer Baptism? 

Priests, who have care of souls, should administer 
Baptism; in case of necessity any person can validly 
baptize, provided he has the intention to baptize, and 
does what the Church requires. 

'^ lie What preparation should be made for Baptism? 

Persons that have attained the use of reason mus'* 
Ibelieve, and be sorry for their sins. 

^'^ He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved. "— Sto Mark 
^▼i 16. 



92 CONFIRM A TION, 

S2. What promises are made in Baptism? 

The person to be baptized, either personaflly or through 
Sponsors, promises: 

1st, To renounce Satan with all his works and 
pomps, that is, all sin; 

2d, Firmly to believe the doctrines of the Catholic 
Cbmr^c^h, and to liye up to them. 

Note. Sponsors contract a spiritual relationship with their 
godchild, and thus marriage between them is forbidden. 

X 13. What is V^ be noted regarding sponsors, that is, godfatheri 
and godmothers? 

1, At a solemn baptism there must be at least one 
Sponsor; 

2, The Sponsors should be good Catholics, and 
must see that their godchild is brought up in the Catho* 
iic religion. 

£4. Can Baptism be repeated? 

No; Baptism can be given but once, for it imprints an 
indelible mark on the soul. 

When in doubt whether a person has been baptized validly or 
at all, wa baptize liim conditionally, saving: If thou art not 
l)aptized, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, aud ot the bou 
and of the Holy Ghost 

X 15. Can nothing supply the place of Baptism hy water J 

When Baptism by water cannot be had, it can be sup 
plied by Baptism of Desire or by Baptism of Blood. 

Application. Be ever mindful of what you owe to God for the 
;great. grace of Baptism. With jealous care preserve the white 
garment of innocence ; bear it without stain before the judgment- 
-seat of Jesus Christ, that you may have eternal life. Remember 
four baptismal promises, and often renew them, especially when 
li^ou go to Holy Communion. 



CONFIRMATION. 



f. What is Confirmation? 

Confirmation is a Sacrament in which, by the imposi- 
tion of the Bishop's hands, anointing and prayer, those 
already baptized are strengthened by the Holy Ghost. 
*steadf astly to profess their faith by word and deed. 



CONFIRM A TION, 93 

X 2. How do we know, that the Sacrament of Confirmation was 
instituted by Christ? 

We know it from the teaching of the infallible Church, 
in accordance with the Holy Scripture and the doctrine 
of tiie Early Fathers. 

** They sent to them Peter and John, who prayed for them that 
they might receive tlie Holy Ghost: for He was not yet come 
upon any one of them, but they were only baptized in ihe name 
of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them ; and 
they received the Holy Ghost." — Acts viii. 15-17. 

3. What are the effects of Confirmation? 

1, Confirmation increases sanctifying grace in us; 

2, It gives us the Holy Ghost to enable us to resist 
€vil and to grow in virtue; 

3, It imprints on our soul a mark that can never be 
ef?aced.— 2 Cor. i. 21, 22. 

4. Who has the power to confirm? 

Bishops, as successors of the Apostles, have the power 
to confirm. 

X 5. How does the Bishop give Confirmation? 

The Bishop extends his hands over all who are to be 
confirmed, and prays that the Holy Ghost may come 
down upon them; he then lays his hand on each one and 
makes on his forehead the sign of the cross with holy 
chrism, saying: I sign thee with the sign of the cross 
and I confirm thee with the chrism of Salvation, in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. 

He concludes by giving all the Episcopal Benedictioa. 

X 6. Of what does the holy chrism consist? 

Holy chrism consists of oil of olives and balsam blest 
by the Bishop on Maundy Thursday. It signifies in- 
ward strength and sanctification. 

X 7. Why does the Bishop make the sign of the cross on th« 
forehead of the persons he confirms? 

To remind them that a Christian must never be 
ashamed of the Cross, but boldly profess his faitt m 
Ohrist Crucified. 



0if THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 

X 8. Why does the Bishop, after anointing them, give them \ 
slight blow on the cheek? 

To remind them that they should be ready to sufifei 
patiently any humiliation for the sake of Christ. 

p. Is Confirmation necessary for salvation? 

Confirmation is not absolutely necessary for salvation^ 
yet it would be a sin wilfully to neglect receiving itc 

10. Who can be confirmed? 

Every one who is baptized can be confirmed. 
X II. How are we to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation^ 

1, We must be in the state of grace; 

t^ Fervently pray for the gifts of the Holy Ghosi; 

.^. Promise God that we will live and die as good 
Christians; 

4, Not leave the church before the Bishop has given 
his blessing. 

X2.. Mention the gifts of the Holy Ghost„ 

The gifts of the Holy Ghost are these seven: 1, Wis- 
dom; 2, Understanding; 3, Counsel; 4, Fortitude; 5/ 
Knowledge; 6, Piety; 7, Fear of the Lord. — Is. xi. 2. 

X 13. Why are Sponsors required in Confirmation? 

That they may present to the Bishop those who are tc 
•be confirmed, and afterwards give them spiritual aid. 

Sponsors in Con firm at) on, as in Baptism, contract a spir- 
itual relationship with the persons for whom they stand, but 
unlike as In Enptism, no impediment to marriage is incurred. 



THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 



i I. The Real Presence of Christ in the Blessecf 

Sacrament. 

1. What is the Ho!y Eucharist? 

The Holy Eucharist is a Sacrament in which the true 
Body and true Blood of Jesus Christ are substantiallj 
present under the appearances of bread and wine, foi 
the nourishment of our souls. 

It is called Euefiamt from the Greek word BueJiaristia, whiek 
means Good Qra^ 



THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 9| 

^. When did Jesus Christ institute the Holy Eucnarist? 

Jesus Clirist instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Lag< 
Supper, the evening before His bitter Passion and Death. 

3. How did Jesus institute the Holy Eucharist? 

^* Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke, and gave 
to His Disciples, saying: ^Take ye and eat; this is My 
Body/ In like manner taking the chalice with wine in it 
He blessed it and gave it to His Disciples, saying: ' Drink 
ye all of this; this is My Blood/ (^Do this for a com 
memoration of Me.')" — St. Matt, xxvi.; 1 Cor. xi. 23-2b< 

4c What hecame of the bread and wine when Jesus pronounce<^ 
these words over them: '' This is My Body " — ** This is M\ 
Blood"? 

The bread was changed into the Body, and the wim 
mto the Blood of Jesus Christ. 

5 After these words of Christ, what still remained of the breafi 
and wine? 

Nothing remained of bread and wine, but their species 
or appearances, 

(S. What is meant by the appearances of bread and wine? 

Bv appearances of bread and wine is meant all that oui 
Benses perceive of bread and wine, such as form, color^ 
taste, etc. 

>' 7. How do we know that with these words: This is My Body 
— This is My Blood, Christ gave His true Body and His 
true Blood to His Apostles? 

We know it — 

1, Because Christ had long beiore promised His 
disciples that He would give them His real Flesh to eat 
and His real Blood to drink. — St. John vi. 52, etc.; 

2, Because at the Last Supper He expressly declared 
that what He then gave them as food and drink, was 
really His Body and His Blood; 

3, Because the Apostles and the Catholic Ch'ircb 
have always so believed and taught.~l Cor.x. 16 and xi.22< 

8, Did Christ give His Apostles the power to change bread and 
wine into His Sacred Body and Blood? 

Ye^; He gave them this power by these words: "D© 
this for a commemoration of Me."— St. Luke xxii. 19. 



96 THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 

^. To whom did this power pass from the Apostles? 

It passed from the Apostles to their successors, th6 
rightly ordained Bishops and Priests of the Church* 

10. When do the Bishops and Priests exercise the power ^ 

changing bread and wine into the Body and Blood of 
Christ? 

At the consecration in the Mass, when they pronounce 
these words of Christ over the bread and wine: This is 
My Body, . . . This is My Blood. 

11. Do the bread and wine remain on the altar after the conse- 

cration? ^^ 

Ko; after the consecration there is on the altar neither 
bread nor wine, but the true Body and the true Blood 
of Jesus Christ under the appearances of bread and 
wine. 

12. How long does Jesus Christ remain present with His sacred 

Body and Blood? 

Jesus Christ remains, as long as the species or appear 
ances of bread and wine continue to exist. 

13. Is only the Body of Christ present under the appearance c»:' 

bread, and only the Blood of Christ under the appearance 
of wine? 

No; under each species or appearance Christ is present 
entire and undivided, as He is entire and undivided ip 
heaven. 

14. When the priest breaks or divides the sacred Host, does h- 

also break the Body of Christ? 

No; he breaks or divides the species only; the entire 
and living Body of Jesus Christ is present in each part. 

X 15. Has the Holy Eucharist all that constitutes a true Sacra- 
ment? 

Yes; for it has 1, the outward sign — namely, the 
Sippearances of bread and wine; 

2, The inward grace — Jesus Christ Himself, the 
Author and Dispenser of all grace; 

3, The institution of Our Lord. 

C^ What does the Real Presence of our liord in the Blessed Sacra 
ment require of us? 

f he Real Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacr^' 



THE HOLY EUCHARIST, 97 

ment requires of Ufe to visit Him often, and to adore 
Him with the deepest humility and the warmest love. 

The Feast of Corpus Christi commemorates the Real Presence. 

X 17. For what reasons is our Lord present in the Holy Euch- 
arist? 

He is present chiefly for these three reasons — 

1, To remain amongst us in his Humanity; 

2, To offer Himself for us in the Holy Sacrifice oi 
the Mass; 

3, To give Himself to us in Holy Communion foy 
the nourishment of our souls. 

Application. Show great respect and devotion in church, 
where Jesus Christ deigns to be present. Go often to visit Him^ 
for He invites us: ** Come to Me, all you that labor and are bur° 
dened, and I will refresh you. " — St. Matt. xi. 28. 



§ 2. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 

c8. What is a Sacrifice? 

A Sacrifice is a visible offering made to God in token, 
and acknowledgment of His supreme dominion over al) 
things and of our entire dependence on Him. 

X 19. Have sacrifices been offered at all times? 

Yes; sacrifices have been offered from the beginning 
of the world; and under the Old Law they were com- 
manded by God Himself. 

X 20. Why were the sacrifices of the Old Law abolished? 

Because they were only symbols or figures of the ^ un- 
spotted Sacrifice of the New Law, and were, therefore^ 
to end with the Old Law itself. 

21. What is the sacrifice of the New Law? 

The Sacrifice of the New Law is Jesus Christ Himself^ 
who by His death on the cross offered Himself to Hig 
heavenly Father for us. 

22. Was all sacrifice to cease with the death of Christ? 

No; in the New Law of Grace there was to be a Per- 
petual Sacrifice, prefigured by the sacrifice of Melchise^ 
dech, and foretold b^ tJne Prophet MalachiaSo 



98 THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 

Holy Scripture declares (concerning Christ): ** Thou art a pries? 
forever according to the order of Melchisedech." — Hebr, vii, 17; 
Ps. X. 9. 

" From the rising of the sun even to tlie going down, my name 
as great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is Sacrifice, 
and there is offered to my name a clean oblation." — Mai. i. 11. 

23. What is the Perpetual Sacrifice? 
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 

24. Who instituted the Sacrifice of the Masst 

Josus Christ instituted the Sacrifice of the Mass at the 
Lasc Supper. 

25. What is the Mass? , 

' The Mass is the Perpetual Sacrifice of the New Law^ 
in which Christ offers Himself in an unbloody manner^ 
as He once offered Himself in a bloody manner on the 
Cross. 

26. Is the Sacrifice of the Mass the same as the Sacrifice of the 

Cross? 

Yes; it is essentially the same Sacrifice; because m 
both, the same Victim, Jesus Christ, is offered. 

27. Is there no difference between the Sacrifice of the Mass and 

the Sacrifice of the Cross? 

Yes, there is a difference in the manner of offering. 

28. Id what manner did Christ offer Himself on the Cross? 

On the cross, Christ offered Himself in a bloody man 
ner, dying a most painful death. 

29. In what manner does Chiist offer Himself in the Mass? 

In the Mass, Christ offers Himself in an unbloody man- 
ner, without suffering or dying, under the appearances oi 
bread and wine, by the hands of the priest. His repre 
sentatiTe. 

K 30. Why did Christ ordain the two forms or appearances, thali 
of bread and that of wine? 

Christ ordained the two separate forms or appearances 
«)f bread and wine, to signify the separation of the Blood 
from the Body, and thus to represent His bloody death 
upon the CrosSo 



THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 99 

%)L. For what ends did Christ institute the unbloody Sacrifice, 
that is, the Sacrifice of the Mass? 

Christ instituted the unbloody Sacrifice— 

1, That we might have a lasting memorial of Hig 
Dloody Sacrifice on the cross; 

2, That its fruits might be ever applied to oai? 
souls. 

%2. Which are the principal parts of the Mass? 
The principal parts of the Mass are: 

1, The Offertory; 

2, The Consecration; 
3j The Communion. 

X 33. To whom do we offer the Sacrifice of the Mass? 

We offer the Sacrifice of the Mass to God alone; bu'i 
we also honor in it the memory of the Saints. 

X 34. How do we honor the memory of the Saints in the Mass? 
We honor the memory of the Saints in the Mass — 

1, By thanking God for the grace and glory be^^ 
itowed on them; and, 

2, By asking their intercession for us. 

>s 35; What are the ends for which we offer the Mass to God? 
We offer the Mass to God— 

1, As a Sacrifice of Praise, for His honor and glory ^ 

2, As a Sacrifice of Thanlcsgiving, for all the graces 
atnd benefits received from Him; 

3, As a Sacrifice of Propitiation, to obtain pardon 
ior our sins, and to avert the punishment we deserve; 

4, As a Sacrifice of Petition, to implore aid in all 
Dur needs of soul and body. 

X 36. To whom are the fruits of the Mass applied? 

The fruits of the Mass are applied in general to the 
whole Church, both the living and the dead. They 
are applied in particular: 1, To the Priest who celebrates 
the Mass; 2, To those for whom he specially offers it; 3^ 
To all those who devoutly hear it. 

X 37 Why has the Church affixed so many prayers and cere- 
monies to the celebration of Mass? 

To add to its solemnity, to excite our devotion^ and 
1.0 ^emind us of Christ's passion and death. 



too THE HOLY EUCHARIST. 

Note. The chief ceremonies of the Mass have been handed 
down to us from the time of the Apostles. St. Paul speaks of an 
altar of sacrifice. It is mentioned in the writings of the Early 
Fathers, decrees of Councils, the very ancient Prayers for Mass, 
aid in many other memorials. 

Application. Have the greatest esteem for the Sacrifice of the 
Mass; there is no act so holy, so pleasing to God, so rich in gracer 
and blessings. Endeavor to be present at Mass every day or as 
often as possible. 

§ 3. Holy Communion. 

38 What is Holy Communion? 

Holy Communion is the actual receiving of the Body 
and Blood of Christ, for the nourishment of the soul. 

39. Have we to drink of the chalice, to receive the Blood of Christ? 
No; for under the appearance of bread we receive also 

the Blood of Christ, since we receive His living Body, 

'* Whosoever shall eat this breads??' drink the chalice of the 
Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of 
the Lord."— 1 Cor. xi. 27. 

Note. To preserve the sacred Blood from being profaned, and 
to make it easy for all to receive the Blessed Sacrament, the 
Church gives Holy Communion to the faithful in one kind only — 
namely, under the appearance of bread. 

40. What graces does Holy Communion impart to us? 

1, Holy Communion unites us most closely with 
Christ, and increases sanctifying grace; 

2, It weakens our evil inclinations and makes us 
able and eager to do good; 

3, It cleanses us from venial sin and preserves us 
from mortal sin; 

4, It is a pledge of our future resurrection and ever- 
lasting happiness. 

41. Does every one receive in Holy Communion the graces it is 

intended to give? 

No; whoever receives Holy Communion unworthily — 
that is, in mortal sin — eateth and drinketh judgment 
to himself. — 1 Cor. xi. 29. 

42. What sin does he commit who receives unworthily? 

He commits a fearful sacrilege; like Judas, he betrays 
his Sayiour. 



THE HOLY EUCHARIST. lOi 

X 4S- What consequences often follow an unworthy Commu- 
nion, even in this life? 

Blindness or hardness of heart ; sometimes also sudden 
death and other temporal chastisements. 

Example. Miserable end of Judas. 

44. What, then, must we do, in case we are in mortal sin? 

We must make a good confession before we receive, so 
as to put ourselves in the state of grace. 

** Let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of that bread.'*— 
X Cor. xi. 29. 

45. What further preparation must we make as to the soulf 
We must strive — 

1, To cleanse our soul from even venial sin; 

2, To excite in our hearts sentiments of fervor and 
devotion, 

46. Does venial sin render our Communions unworthy? 
Venial sin does not render our Communions unworthy 

or sacrilegious, but it diminishes the graces which they 
would otherwise produce. 

47. How can we excite in our hearts sentiments of fervor and 

devotion? 

By pious meditations and devout exercises. 

We may entertain thoughts like these: Who comes? God^ 
Jesus. To whom is He coming? To a poor sinner. Why is Ho 
coming? Through love: to feed my soul, etc., etc. 

X 48. What are the best exercises of devotion before Holy Com 
munion? 

The best exercises of devotion are Acts — 1, of Faitn 
and Adoration; 2, of Humility and Contrition; 3, of 
Hope, Love, and ardent Desire. 
49. How must we prepare ourselves as to the hody^ 

1. If not dangerously ill, we must be fasting; that 
is, from twelve o'clock the night before, we must not 
have taken the least thing to eat or to drink ; 2, We must 
be decently dressed, and respectful in our behavior. 

(Those who are in danger-of death from any cause what- 
eA^er may receive Holy Communion when not fasting. Those 
who have been grievously sick for a long time enjoy certain 
privileges in regard to which they should consult their con- 
fessor. ) 



fi02 * jTHE holy EUCHARIS7\ 

^0. How should we approach the altar-rail? 

With the utmost reverence, with hands joined and 
^ith eyes cast down. 

51. What should we do at the time of receiving the Sacred Host? 
We should spread the communion-cloth over our 

hands and under our chin, hold the head erect and firm 
(without raising our eyes), extend the tongue a little 
upon the under lip, and then most reverently receive the 
Sacred Host. 

Do not keep the Sacred Host in your mouth until it is quite 
dissolved; but let it be moistened a little on 3 uur tongue aud ihen 
swallowed. Should it adhere to the roof of your mouth, remove 
It with your tongue, not with your finger. 

52. What must we do after receiving Holy Communion? 

We must retire to our place with the greatest modest}^ 
and spend some time in devout prayer. 

No time is more precious and more favorable for obtaining 
graces, tnan that which immediately follows Holy Communion; 
therefore we should avail ourselves of it in the best manner we 
ean, and entertain ourselves at least a quarter of an hour with 
©ur dear Redeemer. 

K 53- What sort of prayers should we say after Holy Communion? 
Prayers in which we humble ourselves before our Lord, 
adoring and thanking Him, offering ourselves up to Him 
in expressions of love, and imploring His graces, espe- 
cially the grace of perseverance. 

X 54. How should we spend the day of Communion? 

We should spend the day of Communion as much as 
possible in recollection and pious exercises, avoiding 
tvorldly recreations and amusements. 

X 55. What is Spiritual Communion? 

Spiritual Communion is the ardent desire to receive 
Holy Communion, accompanied with pious aspirations, 
fts though we were going really to receive C^ur Lord. 

Application. Resolve to receive our dear Lord as often as you 
can with the permission of your Confessor. The first Christians 
ftnd the Saints drew, special strength and sanctity from the fre- 
quent reception of the Bread of Angels. Always prepare your- 
self carefuUy, that you may approach the Holy Table with as 
much purity of heart and devotion as yon can attain. Unite your- 
self to'OurLord bymeau'^^f spiritual communion «very dm^ you 
assist ai Mass. 



PENANCE, <0| 



PENANCE. 

i. What is the Sacrament of Penance? 

The Sacrament of Penance is a Sacrament in which 
the sins we have committed after Baptism are forgiven. 

2. How are sins forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance? 

Sins are forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance by vir- 
tue of the Priest's words of absolution joined with con^ 
trition, confession and satisfaction, on the part of the 
penitent. 

3. What has the sinner to do to be truly penitent? 
He must — 

1, Be heartily sorry for his sins; 

2, Sincerely confess them; 

3, Have the firm will to amend his life and satisfy 
for his sins. 

4. When did Christ institute the Sacrament of Penance? 
Christ instituted the Sacrament of Penance when, 

after His Eesurrection, He breathed on His Apostles and 
said: ^^ Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whose sins you shall 
forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall 
retain, they are retained." — St. John xx. 21, 23. 

5. Did Christ impart the power of forgiving sin to the Apostles 

only? 
No; Christ imparted that power also to all who were 
to succeed the Apostles in the priesthood, as the Church 
has ever believed and taught. 

6. Can all sins be forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance? 

Yes; all the sins we have committed after Baptism 
can be forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance. — 1 St 
John i, 9. 

7. Why must we confess our sins, in order to have them forgiven? 
Because Christ ordained it so, when He instituted the 

Sacrament of Penance; for, unless we declare our sins 
to the Priest, he cannot know whether to forgive or to 
retain them. 



■ii@4 PENANCE. 

Q. Js the Sacrament of Penance necessary for salvation* 

The Sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvatiof ; 
ito all those who have committed mortal sin after Bap- 
tism. 
^ 9. Can mortal sin be forgiven in any other way? 

Yes^ when the Sacrament of Penance cannot be re- 
jeivedj mortal sin can be forgiven by an act of perfect 
€outrition with a firm purpose to confess our sins when 
ihe occasion offers. 

% so. What does God do for us in the Sacrament of Penance f 
In the Sacrament of Penance God— 

Ij Forgives us the sins committed after Baptism; 
2y He remits the eternal punishment, and at least «s 
ipart of the temporal punishment due to our sins; 

3, He restores sanctifying grace, or, if it has not 
been lost, increases it| 

4, He confers other particular graces to enable us to 
Dead a holy life. 

?S« How many things are required on our part, to receive th^ 
Sacrament of Penance worthily? 

To receive the Sacrament of Penance worthily, these 
Sre things are required? 

1, Prayer to the Holy Ghost | 2, Examination of 
Oonscience; 3, Contrition with a firm purpose of amend* 
ment J 4, Confessionj 5, Satisfaction. 

§ l« Prayer to the Holy Ghost 

m* Why must we first pray to the Holy Ghost? 

Wq must first pray to the Holy Ghost, to obtain tht 
grace to make a good Confession. 

^% What should we specially ask of the Holy Ghost? 

We should ask of the Holy Ghost the grace to know 
*11 our sins, to be heartily sorry for them, to confess 
them properly, and to amend our lives* 

14. How should we pray to the Holy Ghost? 

We should lift up our minds and hearts to God th* 
Moly Ghost and say some such prayer as this: Come. €'^ 
'Sely Ghost ! enlighten my mind, that J- may clearl^v 



PENANCE 105 

jsnow my sins ; and move my heart, that I may sin- 
cerely repent of them, confess them, and amend my lifcc 

§ 2. Examination of Conscience. 

15, What is meant by Examination of Conscience? 

Examination of Conscience means, to think seriouslj 
on our sins, that we may truly know them, 

x6. In what manner should we examine our conscience? 

1, We should examine, when it was that we last 
made a good Confession, and whether we performed the 
penance then given us; 

2. We should recall the Commandments of God and 
of the Church, the different kinds of sin and the obliga- 
tions of our state of life, so as to know in what way, 
and how often, we have offended God in thought or 
desire, in word, deed, or omission. 

17, Must we examine ourselves on the number and circumstancei 

of our sins? 

i^es; at least when they are mortal sins. 

18, How much time ought we to employ in the Examination of 

Conscience? 

A reasonable time, to discoyer all our sins, at least all 
our mortal sins. 

19, Against what faults are we to guard in the Examination ol 

Conscience? 

1, We must not examine ourselves negligently, or 
hastily; 

2, We must not hide our favorite sins from our- 
selves; 

3, We must not be too scrupulous. 

10. How can we make this more easy? 

By examining our conscience every day^, and by going 
to Confession often. 

§ 3. Contrition. 

jii. What is the most important and necessary part of our prepa- 
ration for Confession? 
The most important and necessary part of our prepa^- 



to5 FENaNCM. 

ration is Contrition, with a firm Purpose of Amendmgiatj 
without which sin cannot be forgiven. 

22. What is Contrition? 

Contrition is a hearty sorrow for our sins^ with a firm 
resolution to commit them no more. 

23. What qualities must true Contrition have? 

True Contrition must be, 1, interior; 3, universal; 3, 
supernatural. 

24. When is Contrition interior f 

Contrition is interior^ when we grieve for our sins 
not merely in words, but detest them in our heart as the 
greate«Jt evil, and sincerely wish we had not committee^ 
them. 

** A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and husn^ 
bled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." — Ps, 1. 19. 

25. When is Contrition universal? 

Contrition is universal when we are sorry for all out 
sins^at least all mortal sins. 

X 26. If we have no sorrow for our venial sins, do we make a* 
good Confession? 

If we have only venial sins to confess, and are not 
sorry for any of them, we make a bad Confession. 

27. When is our Contrition only a natural sorrow? 

Our Contriblcr} is only a natural sorrow when it arises 
from natural motives ; for instance, from temporal loss^ 
damage, or disgrace, and the like. 

28. When is our Contrition supernatural 1 

Our Contrition is supernatural when, with God^g 
grace, it arises from supernatural motives. 

X 29. What must we do to excite supernatural sorrow? 
With God's assistance we must consider: 

1, That our sins have made us deserving of God's 
punishments; 

3, That our sins have been the cause of our Lord^i 
passion and death; 

3, That our sins have offended God, our greatest. 
Benefactor^ the best of Fathers, and the Supreme Good. 



PENANCE. lOl 

3©. How many kinds of supernatural Contrition are there? 

There are two kinds of supernatural Contrition — Per* 
icct Contrition, and Imperfect Contrition, commonly 
called Attrition. 

31. When is Contrition Perfect? 

Contrition is Perfect when it arises from Perfect Love* 
^:hat is, when we hate sin more than all other evils, fo? 
he reason that it olfends God^ the supreme Good. 

32. When is Contrition Imperfect? 

Contrition is imperfect when our Love is not j^o^i-f^c^- 
:hat IS, when w^e are moved to sorrow for sia by oth^c 
motives less perfect than the pure Love of Goa, such a^ 
:he fear of hell, the loss of heaven, the nii*iJoe of sin, 

J3. Must our Contrition always be perfew? 

In the Sacrament of Penance impeifeot Contrition is 
jufficient; but we should stwe to make it as perfect ag 
possible, 

(An Act of Contrition is f^vA^ among the Prayers, page 132). 

c 4. When must we ma^C'j *nc Act of Contrition in the Sacramenl 
of Penance? 

We must make tLe Act of Contrition before our Con- 
cession, or, at le-ciDf, before the Priest gives us Absolu- 
cioUo 

X 35. When my '4 we make the Act of Contrition even without 
the Sacraixieut of Penance? 

1, In danger of death; 

2, As often as we have the misfortune to commit a 
mortal siu and cannot immediately go to Confession. 

It is adT^ia&ble every night before retiring to excite ourselves tc 
sorrow for our sins, especially for those we have committed m 
^e tjou? se of the day, 

§ 4. Firm Purpose of Amendment 

^s). What must Contrition necessarily include? 
Contrition must necessarily include — 

1, The Hope of Pardon; and 

2, The firm Purpose of Amendments 



iO& ri^isANCE. 

X 37. On what is our Hope of Pardon founded? 
Uur Hope of Pardon is founded on — 

1, The intinite mercy of God; 

2, The infinite merits of Jesns Christ; and 

3, On God's promise that He would pardon even 
the greatest sins. 

38. What is a firm Purpose of Amendment? 

A firm Purpose of Amendment is a sincere resolution 
and firm determination to amend our life and to sin n© 
more. 

39, What must be the qualities of our firm Purpose of Amend 

ment? 

Our firm Purpose of Amendment, like our Contrition^ 
must be- — 

1, Interior; 

2, Sincere — that is, true and earnest; 

3, XJniyersal — that is, it must extend to all mortal 
sins. 

X 40. What must we be resolved to do, when we form a firm 
and sincere Purpose of Amendment? 

We must be resolved — 

1, To avoid at least all grievous sins, and the prcxi- 
mate occasions of them; 

2, To forgive our enemies; 

3, To use the necessary means against bad habits; 

4, To make due satisfaction, and repair whatever 
harm we may have done our neighbor. 

Example. Zaccheus. — ** Forgive us our trespasses, as we for= 
give them who trespass against us." — St. Matt. vi. 12. 

He that is not so disposed should know, that the priest cannot 
^ive him Absolution • and though Absolution be given, it avails 
aim nothing. 

V 4I0 What is meant by. the proximate occasion of sinT 

By the proximate occasion of sin is meant any person, 
company, amusement, in a word, whatever has caused 
us to sin before, and, if not avoided, will lead us into 
sin again. 



FENANCE. 109 



§ 5. Confession. 

^». What is Confession? 

Confession is the humble recital of our sins to a 
f riest. to obtain his Absolution. 

43. What are the necessary qualities of a Confession? 

A Confession must be: 1, Entire; 2, Sincere; and 3^^ 
Olear. 

f4. When is a Confession Entire f 

A Confession is Entire, ^vhen we confess at least all the 
mortal sins we can remember, together with their num« 
ber and necessary circumstances. 

45. What must we do, if we cannot recollect the number! 

We must declare the number as well as we are able, 
and say about how often a day, a week, or a month, we 
have committed the sin. 

46. What sort of circumstances must we confess? 
We must confess such circumstances as — 

1, Change what would be venial sin into mortal; 

2, Change a mortal sin into one still more grievousj 
for example, a theft into a sacrilege. 

47. Are we bound to confess also venial sins? 

We are not bound to confess venial sins; but it is 
good and wholesome to do so. 

When we have only venial sins or imperfections to confess, i^ 
is advisable to mention again some sin of our past life for whicL 
we are heartily sorry, 

48. What must we do, when we doubt whether a sin is mortal 

or venial? 

We should tell our doubt to our Confessor; because 
many people mistake mortal sins for venial sins. 

49c When is a Confession sincere ? 

A Confession is sincere, when we accuse ourselves just 
as we truly believe ourselves guilty before God, without 
disguise or excuse. 



:iO PENANCE. 

;< 50. What should the penitent consider if ashamed to ma^e a 
sincere Confession? 

He should consider: 1, That a Confession which is 
not sincere is anotber grievous sin — a sacrilege — and 
leads to eternal damnation; 2, That it is far better for 
him to confess his sins to one priest, bound by secrecy, 
than to live always uneasy in sin, to die unhappy and, on 
the last day, to be put to shame before the whole world. 

^ic When is a Confession clear? 
A Confession is clear when — 

1, We mention the sin in plain terms; and, 

2, When we so express ourselves that the (onfessor 
may clearly see the state of our conscience. 

52. What must we do, if we have left out something \i Confes 

sion which we were bound to confess? 

1, If we have left it out without our fault, it is only 
required to mention it in the next Confession; 

2, If we have left it out either because we were 
ashamed to confess it, or because we neglected to exam- 
ine our conscience, our Confession was a bad one, and 
we must tell in how many Confessions we have left it 
Dut through our fault, and repeat them all. 

53, How do you call that Confession, in which we repeat all os- 

some of our former Confessions? 

A General Confession. 

X 54. When is a General Confession necessary? 

A General Confession is necessary whenever our for° 
mer Confessions were useless or sacrilegious, through 
want of sincerity, sorrow, or a firm purpose of amend* 
ment, or through negligence in the examination of oui 
!3onscience. 

55. How do you begin your Confession? 

Having knelt down, I make the sign of the Cross and 
say: ^* Bless me. Father, for I have sinned. I confess 
to Almighty God, and to you, Father, in His stead, that 
since my last Confession, which was .... I have 
committed the following sins." (Here I confess my sins.) 

56. How do you conclude your Confession? 

I conclude by saying; ''For these and all my other 



PENANCE. 1 1 1 

riiis, wnich I cannot at present call to mind, and also 
for the sins of my past life, especially for • ... I am 
leartilj^ sorry. I most humbly ask pardon of God, and 
penance and absolution of you, my ghostly Father." 

57. What must you do then? 

I must listen with attention to the advice wnich my 
Confessor may think proper to give me, and to the Pen- 
ance he enjoins; and whilst he gives me Absolution I 
must excite my heart to true sorrow. 

X 58. What are you to do if you should not receive Absolution? 
I must humbly submit to the decision of my Confes- 
sor, and, by true amendment, render myself worthy t<^ 
receive Absolution in my next Confession. 

§ 6. Satisfaction. 

59. What is Satisfaction in the Sacrament of Penance? 
Satisfaction is doing the penance given by the Coia 

lessor. 

60. Why does the Confessor give a penance? 

The Confessor gives a penance — 1, That we may sat- 
isfy for the temporal punishment due to our sins; 2, That 
we may amend our life. 

X 61. When God forgives the sin, does He not also remit the 
punishment due to that sin ? 

God always remits the eternal punishment, but not 
always the temporal punishment due to sin. 

''Therefore Nathan the Prophet said to David: The Lord also 
hath taken away thy sin; nevertheless for this thing, the child 
that is born to thee shall surely die."— 2 Kings xii. 13, 14 

^2. What is the temporal punishment due to our sins? 

The '.emporal punishment due to our sins is that 
whicli we have to suffer either here on earth, or in Pur- 
gatory. 

S3. Does our Confession become bad, if the penance is not per- 
formed ? 
No; the past Confession remains good; but ww com- 
mit a new sin and deprive ourselves of many graces. 



n 2 mD ULGENCES. 



I 



lu case we have neglected the penance imposed, we sbouM i»^ 
cuse ourselves of it in our next Confession. If the Confesses 
gives a penance which we are really unable to perform, we shouy 
respectfully tell him so. 

X 64. Should we perform only that penance which the Conf esv 
sor gives us? 
We should also try to satisfy the Divine Justice bj 
other voluntary works of penance, and by patience m 
our sufferings. 

65. What else must we do after Confession? 
After Confession we must — 

1, Give thanks to God, and renew our good resole^ 
tions; 

2, Perform our penance as soon as possible; 

3, Repair, as well as we can, all injury we may havn 
unjustly done to our neighbor; and, 

4, Amend our lives, and employ the means to avoi<l 
6in iir future. 

** Sin no more, lest some worse thing happen to thee.'*— St 
John V. 14; see St. Luke xi. 26. 

Application. Be grateful to God for instituting the Sacramenl 
of Penance, "this plank of safety after the shipwreck of th© 
soul," as St. Augustine calls it. This sacrament offers you nol 
merely remission of sin, but also consolation, light in doubts, and 
strength to do good. Make frequent use of it, but never withr^ul 
due preparation; lest this sacrament, so replete with graca \v^ 
for you a source of eternal perdition. 



INDULGENCES 

©6. By what means does the Church help us %o (^schas^« tht 
temporal punishment due to our sins? 

By the grant of Indulgences. 

67. What is an ladulfesicr* 

An Indulgence is a remission of ttio temporal ponisfo^ 
ment due to our sins, which the Okurch grants outsidld 
of the Sacrament of I'enance- 



IND ULGENCES 1 1 3 

68. What must we believe with regard to Indulgences? 
We must beliuve — 

i. That clie Catholic Church has power to grant 
(ndulgences; 

2. That the use of them is very salutary to us. 

69. From whom has the Catholic Church the power to errant 

Indulgences? 

From Jesus Christ who said: ^^ Whatsoever thou shalt 
loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven. " — St. 
Matt. xvi. 19; xviii. 18. 

X 7^' From what source do Indulgences draw their power and 
efficacy ? 

From the treasury of the abundant merits of Jesus 
Christ and of the Saints. 

71. What is required to gain an Indulgence? 
To gain an Indulgence, we must: 

1. Be in the state of grace; and 

2, Perform the good works prescribed for the gjaia^ 
ing of the Indulgence. 

72. How many kinds of Indulgences are there? 
There are two kinds: 

1, Plenary Indulgences, which remit the whole 
debt of temporal punishment due to sin; 

2, Partial Indulgences, which remit only a part of 
it. 

Note. An Indulgence of forty days or seven years is a remis- 
sion of Guch a debt of temporal punishment as a person would 
discharge if he did penance for forty days or seven years, accord- 
ing to the ancient Discipline of the Church. 

73. Can Indulgences be applied also to the Souls in Purgatory? 
Yes, all those which the Pope has declared to be ap- 
plicable to them. 

Application. Value and esteem Indaigences; they remit tern- 
poral punishments due to sin, encourage to Penance, to the prac- 
tice of good w^orks and to the reception of the Sacraments. 
Avail yourself of every opportunity of gaining them for yourself, 
%nd for the souls of the faithful departed. 



'>iU' EXTREME UNCTIOM 



EXTREME UNCTION. 

S. What is Extreme Unction? 

Extreme Unction is a Sacrament, in which by the 
anointing with holy oil and by the prayers of the Priest^ 
the sick receive the grace of God for the good of theii 
souls, and often also of their bodies. 

a Whence do we know that the Sacrament of Extreme Unctioik 
was instituted by Christ? 

W^e know this from the constant teaching of the 
Church and from Holy Scripture. 

** Is any man sick among j^ou, let him bring in the Priests of 
She Church and let '^hem pray over him, anointing him with oil 
in the name of the ijord; and the prayer of faith shall save the 
sick man, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he be in sinSj 
they shall be forgiven him." — St. James v. 14, 15. 

3. What effects does Extreme Unction produce in the soul? 
Extreme unction — 

1, Increases sanctifying grace; 

2, It remits venial sins, and also those mortal sin& 
which the sick person repents of, but is no longer able 
to confess; 

3, It removes the remains of sins already forgiven; 

4, it strengthens the soul in its sufferings and temp 
tations, especially in its agony. 

4. What effects does Extreme Unction produce in the body? 

It often relieves the pains of the sick person, and some- 
times restores him even to health, when it is conducive 
to the salvation of his soul. 

5. To whom can Extreme Unction be administered? 
Extreme Unction can be administered to all who art 

baptized, have come to the use of reason and are in dan- 
ger of death by sickness. 

6. How are we to receive Extreme Unction? 

1, In the state of grace; wherefore we must first cor> 
fess our sins, or, if we cannot confess, make an Act 0.1 
Perfect Contrition. 

2, With faith, hope, charity, and resignation to th^ 
holy will of Godo 



HOLY ORDERS. 3 I J 

% When sL^ald we receive Extreme Unction » 

We should recoive Extreme Unction wlien we are in 
danger of death by sickness, but if ])ossible, whilst we 
ai-e yet conscious, and after the holy Viaticum. 

X 8 How often can Extreme Unction be received? 

Extreme Unction can be received as often as we are 
v\ danger of death by sickness, provided it be a different 
ocr\LS]'»?i of dansfpr or a different sickness. 

Application. When God in His mercv visits you with a danger 
ous illness, do not put off the receiving of ihe S^^craments lo ihe 
last moment. How often eternitv depends ow ibis! Cruol and 
criminal would it be to keep the sick peison m the dark concern- 
mg his danger, as many do through blind and false love, thus de- 
priving him of the consolations of religion nnd letting him depart 
unprepared into eternity. Sick people ^onielimes falsely \\\vaz 
ine, I'liat because the last sacraments are administered to them 
;Lcy are bound to die. 



HOLY ORDERS. ' 

1. On whom did Christ Himself confer the Priesthood ? 
Christ Himself conferred the Priesthood upon His 

Apostles. 

2. Was the Priesthood to end with the death of the Apostles? 
Certainly not; no more than the Church was to end 

with their death. 

3. How was the Priesthood continued? 

The Priesthood was continued by the Sacrament of 
Holy Orders instituted by Christ. 

4. What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders? 

Holy Orders is a Sacrament, which confers on those 
Vvho receive it the powers of the Priesthood, togethei 
with a special grace to discharge faithfully its sacred 
duties. 

Paul and Barnabas were ordained by the la3dng on of hands 
** Then they, fasting and praying, and imposing their hands upon 
them, sent them away." — Acts xiii. 3. 

§. What are the principal powers of tlie Priesthood*^ 
The principal powers of the Priesthood are: 



^ y The power to offer the Holy Sacrifice ot theMa«ig 

2, The power to forgive sins. 

^, Who can administer the Sacrament of Holy Orders? 

Bishops only can administer the Sacrament of Holf 
Orders; for they have received this power by a special 
Consecration. 

7. Can a Priest lose the sacred character received in bis Orduni^ 
tion? 

A Priest can never lose the sacred character received 
in his Ordination; for Holy Orders, like Baptism, im- 
prints an indelible mark on the souL 

X 8. Who should become Priests? 

Those only should become Priests whom God calls te 
this holy state. 

Application. Always show proper respect and submission Ui 
Priests, as the representatives of G-od and the Dispensers of Hi«^ 
Holy Mysteries; and often *'pray the Lord of the harvest, tbai^' 
He send forth laborers into His harvest."— St. Matt. Ix. 3d 



MATRIMONYe 

t. What is the Sacrament of Matrimony? 

Matrimony is a Sacrament by which two single pef!** 
sons, a man and a woman, are joined together in mar*' 
riage, and receive grace from God to fulfll faithfullf 
until death the duties of their state. 

Z. When was Matrimony instituted? 

Matrimony was instituted in Paradise by God Hin^ 
^elf ; our Divine Saviour raised it to the dignity of « 
Sacrament. 

'* This is a great Sacrament, but I speak in Christ and <D Cbi 
Church."— Eph. v. 32. 

X 3. How is this Sacrament received? 

The bridegroom and the bride declare before their 
Pastor and two witnesses that they take one another ai 
husbar M wife, whereupon the Priest blesses their 
lanion. 

K 4. Can the bond of marriage ever be dissolved? 
Among Christians the bond of marriage can neTe^^ \:m 



\ 



MATRIMONY. II f 

dissolved ; *' what God hath joined together, let no max- 
put asunder/' — St. Matt. xix. 6; Rom. vii. 2. 

Spiritual Authority can, for important reasons, allow a husband 
and wife to live separated from one another; but nevertheless tbej 
continue married people, even though the civil court should grant 
Ihem a divorce. Neither of them can validly contract a second 
marriage whilst the other party is living. — See St. Matt. x. 11, 12^, 
8t. Luke xvi, 18. 

X 5- What are the duties of married persons? 
Married persons — 
1, Should live together in peace, love, and conjuga! 
fidelity until separated by death; 

3, They should bring up their children in the fear 
of God; 

I 3, They should help each other in working out theit 
'Salvation; 

4, The husband should support and cherish his 
wife; the wife should obey her husband in all that is 
Just and honorable. 

** Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as it behoove th in 
the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter towards 
them."— Col. iii. 18, 19. 

)X 6. What should those persons bear in mind who intend tc 
'l enter the married state? 

1 1, They should not thoughtlessly enter into an engage- 
Irment to marry; 

I 2, They should be properly instructed, and free from 
I Impediments; 

3, They should live innocently whilst they are en* 
gaged; 

4, They should give their Pastor timely notice of theil 
intention; 

5, They should enter the marriage state with a pure 
intention; 

6, Before they marry they should make a good Con- 
fession and worthily receive Holy Communion. 

'' We are the children of Saints, and we must not be joined 
together like heathens that know not God," — Tob* viii. 6, 

X 7. Is U a sm to break a promise of marriage? 

Yes, it is a mortal sin, if the promise was a solemn one 
m'ade according to the laws of the Church and no just 
cause excuses. 



i 1 8 UCRAMENTALS. 

< 8. How many kinJs of Impediments to marriage are tlier®? 
There are two kinds — ■ 

1, Such as render marriage unlawful ; as, for in- j 
stance, the forbidden times, the simple vow of chastity^ 
a .promise of marriage to another, etc. 

2, Such as render marriage null, for instance, con- 
sanguinity to the third degree inclusive, and affinity to 
the second degree inclusive. 

X 9. What is understood by the forbidden times? 

The times when the Church does not allow marriage 
to be solemnized, namely — 

1, From the first Sunday in Advent to Christmas in- 
clusive. 

2, From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday inclusive. 

X 10. Wlmt should we thinl?: of mto^ marriages ; that is, mar- 
riages contracted between Catholics and non-Catholics? 

For just and weighty reasons the Church has at all 
times disapproved of them, and she permits them only 
an certain conditions, namely: 

1, That the Catholic party be allowed the free ex- 
ercise of religion; and, 

2, That all the children be brought up in the Cath- 
olic religion. 

Mixed marriages are never contracted or blessed in the Churcho 
Incase one party is not even baptized, this should be made know© 
before, for it is an impediment that makes marriage null. 

Application. In the choice of a state of life consult, above all 
things, God and the salvation of your soul. Should you, after 
mature deliberation, believe yourself called to the married state^ 
prepare yourself for it by earnest prayer, and the worthy recep- 
tion of the Sacraments; ask your parents' advice, and consult not 
the promptings of passion. Be careful not to follow those whO;, 
by sin and vice, draw the curse of God upon their heads. 



SACRAMENTALS, 



i. What do you mean by Sacramentals? 
By Sacramentals I mean: 

1, All the things blessed or consecrated by the 
Ohurch for the Divine service, or for our own pious usCj, 
«i.s Holy Water, Oil, Salt, Palms, Candles, etc. ; 



SA C^jtn/rjRnrr^ALS, U ^9 

2^ Also the Exorcisms, Blessings, and Consecrations 
aised by the Church. 

^. Why are such things called Sacramentals? 

They are called Sacramentals because they resemble 
the Sacraments, though essentially different from them. 

X 3. What is the difference between Sacramentals and the Sacra- 
ments? 

1, The Sacraments were instituted by Christ Himself; 
the Sacramentals by the Church, which has received the 
power from Christ to do so; 

2, The Sacraments effect interior holiness by the 
power which God gave them; the Sacramentals benefit 
soul and body by the prayers and blessings of the 
Church. 

4. Why should we make a devout use of Sacramentals? 

Because through the Sacramentals we have a part in 
the prayers and blessings of the entire Church, in whose 
name the Priest consecrates and blesses them. 

X 5. Have the prayers of the Church a special power? 

Ves, the prayers of the Church have a special power,- 
t)ecause her prayers are united with the prayers of Jesu^ 
Christ and of ilis Saints. 

X 6. What does the Church usually pray for, when she conse 
crates or blesses? 

For the averting of God's judgments, for protection 
against the devil, for the peace, the blessing, and the 
welfare of soul and body, etc. 

7. What use should we make of Holy Water? 

As pious Christians, we should bless ourselves with 
Holy Water, not only on entering and leaving the 
church, but also at home, praying that we may be made 
more and more pure, and be protected against all evil. 

Application. Make a devout use of all things blessed by th« 
Church, especially of Holy Water, relying with confidence ou 
*Tod's bounty and the prayers and blessings of His Church> 



t2Q PKA YER. 



PRAYER. 

S. What is Prayer? 

Prayer is the raising up of our minds and hearts t(r 
God, to j)raise Him, to thank Him, or to beg His grace. 
Hence tlie names: Prayer of Praise, Prayer of Thanks« 
giving. Prayer of Petition. 

?. Is Prayer necessary for salvation? 

Yes, Prayer is necessary for salvation to all who have 
the use of reason. 

X 3. Why is Prayer necessary? 

1, Because we owe it to God, the Supreme Being; 

2, Because it is commanded by Our Lord, and taught 
us by His example; 

3, Because, without Prayer, we shall not obtain the 
graces necessary to persevere to the end. 

•*Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; 
knock, and it shall be opened to you." — St. Luke xi. 9. 

X 4. What are the principal fruits of Prayer? 
Prayer, 

1, unites us to God and raises our minds to Heaven* 

2, It strengthens us against evil, and gives us power 
for good; 

3, It affords us comfort in adversity, help in need^ 
and the grace of perseverance unto death, 

5. How must we pray that our prayers may be pleasing to God? 
We must pray, 1, with Devotion; 2, with Humility; 

3, with Conhdence; 4, with Eesignation to the will of 
God; and, 5, with Perseverance. 

6. When do we pray with Devotion f 

We pray with devotion, when we pray from the hearty, 
and avoid all distracting thoughts as much as possible. 
Jesus said of the Pharisees: '' This people honoreth Me 
with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.'' — St, 
Matt. XV. 8. 

y. What must we do that we may pray with devotion? 

Before Prayer we should banish all worldly thou^ht^ 



PRAYER 121 

be mindful of God^s presence, and consider that we are 
about to address the Almighty. 

** Before prayer prepare thy soul, and be not as a man that 
tempteth God/'—Eccl. xviii. 23, 

X 8. Are all the distractions in Prayer sinful? 

Distractions are sinful only when we ourselves are the 
cause of them, or wilfully entertain them. 

^. When do we pray with Uumility f 

We pray with humility, when we pray with a deep 
sense of our weakness and unworthiness. 

'* The prayer of him that humble th himself shall pierce the 
clouds." — Eccl. XXXV. 21. 

Example. The Pharisee and the Publican. — St. Luke xviii. 

10. When do we pray with Confidence f 

We pray with confidence, when we firmly hope that 
God will hear our prayer, so far as it tends to His honor 
and to our salvation. — St. James i. 6, 7, 

11. Why should we hope that God will hear our prayer? 
Because God can grant us .all good thmgs, and for 

Jesus' sake will do so. 

** Amen, Amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything 
in My name. He will give it to you." — St. John xvL 23. 

12. When do we pray with Resignation to the wiii. (^ Godf 

We pray with Kesignation to the will of God, when we 
submit to God's will as to how and when He will grant 
what we pray for. 

•* Father, not My will, but Thine be done."— St. Luke xxii. 42 

13. When do we pray with Perseverance f 

We pray with Perseverance/ when we do not cease tc 
pray, although God seems not to heed us, but continue 
to pray the more fervently. 

Example. The woman of Chanaan (St. Matt, xv.)— Parable of 
the friend who asks for three loaves (St. Luke xi.). 

X 14. But why do we not always obtain what we ask for? 
We do not always obtain what we ask for^ 
Ij Either because we do not pray as we oughtj ot^ 



122 F^AYEM, 

2, Because we as? for what is a hindrance to ows 
salvation; or, 

3, Because we lo not persevere in praying. 

15. When ought we to pray? 

Our Divine Lord says: ^^ We ought always to pray and 
not to faint'^ (Sc. Luke xviii. 1). St Paul sayg^ ^^'^Pray 
without ceasing.'^ — ^1 Thess. v. 17, 

X 16. Is it possible to pray always? 

Yes, we pray always, when we frequently raise up our 
minds and hearts to God, when Ave offer Him all our 
labors, sufferings, and pleasures, and are faithful in 
performing our daily devotions. 

S7. When are we to pray in a special manner? 

We are to pray in a special manner, 1, during Divine 
Service in the Church; m the morning and at nigbtj 
before and after meals; when the Angelus bell rings; 

2, In time of temptation and of need, and during 
private and puolic calamities. 

X 18. Why should we especially pray in Church? 

We should especially pray in Church, because the 
Church is tlie house of God and of Prayer, where God 
most readily grants His favors, and where all we see and 
hear disposes us for prayer. 

29, For whom must we pray? 

We must pray for all mankind, friends and enemies 
for the living and the dead ; particularly, 

1, For our parents, relatives, and benefactors| 

2, For our spiritual and temporal superiors; 

3, For sinners and all in need. 

Application. Consider how happy you are, that you, a miser-: 
able worm of the earth and a sinful creature, are allowed tc 
speak to God, the Most High, as a child speaks to its father. 
Prayer is an inexhaustible fountain of all good. Pray, therefore, 
often and willinglj^ both at home and in Church. In the course 
of the day now and then raise your mind and heart to God, 



.PFAYBM, 12% 



I lo The Lord's Prayer, 

afO. Which is the most excellent of all prayers? 

The most excellent of all prayers is the Our Father^ 
or the Lord's Prayer, 

21 « Why is the Our Father called the Lord's Prayer? 

Because Christ Our Lord made it, and commanded ue. 
to say it. — St. Matt. vi. 

22. What does the Lord's Prayrr contain? 

The Lord's Prayer contains a short Preface and Seyen 
Petitions, 

23. What do 3^ou call the Preface of the Lord's Prayer? 
These words: ^* Our Father who art in Heaven.** 

240 Of what does the word Father remind us? 

The word Father remmds us, that God is our Father^ 
and that we ought to pray to Him with childlike rever- 
ence, love, and confidence. 

25, Why do we say our Father, and not my Father? 

We say our Father, because God is the Father of all 
men, and we, as His children, should love one another 
as brethren, and pray for one another. 

26, Why do we add : Who oH in Heamnf 

To call to our mind that, being but pilgrims on earthy 
WQ are to detach our hearts from earth, and raise them 
iO Heaven, our true home. 

yj. What do we ask for in the first Petition : Hallowed he Thy 
Name? 

In the first Petition we ask that God may be better 
cnown, loved, and honored by us and by all men, and that 
3is holy name may never be profaned or blasphemed. 

t8. What do we ask for in the second Petition: Thy Kingdom 
come? 

In the second Petition we ask, 

1, That God by His Grace and Love may reign in 
mr hearts; 

2, That after this life He may admit us all into the 
kingdom of Heaven. 



i24 PRAYER. 

29. What do we ask for in the third Petition: " Thy Will he dons 

on earth as it is in Heaven " ? 

In the third Petition we ask, that we and uW men may 
do the will of God on earth, as faithfully and cheerfully 
as the Angels and Saints do it in Heaven. 

30. What do we ask for in the fourth Petition; " Give us this dap 

our daily bread " / 

In the fourth Petition we ask, that God would give us 
all that is daily necessary for soul and body. 

X 31. Why do we saj: ** this day** and ** daily" f 

'^e say ^' this da\f^ and ^* daily'^ because we ought each 
day to ask for only that which is necessary, not for what 
is superfluous. 

** Having food and wherewith to be covered, with these we are 
content."— 1 Tim. vi. 8. 

;^2. What do we ask for in the fifth Petition: ** Forgive us ouf 
trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us" ? 

In the fifth Petition we ask, that God would so for- 
give us all our sins as we forgive them who have offended i 
as. 



it 



Example — Parable of the wicked servant. — St. Matt, xviii. 

$3. What do we ask for in the sixth Petition: ** Lead us not into 
temptation" f 

In the sixth Petition we ask, that God would remove 
from us all temptations and dangers of sin, or at least 
give us grace to resist them. 

X 34. Why does God allow us to be tempted? 
God allows us to be tempted — 

1, To keep us humble and watchful; 

2, To increase our merits and our zeal for virtue.— -^ 
St. Matt. xxvi. 41; St. James i. 12. 

35. What do we ask for in the seventh Petition: ** But deliver us 

from evil " f 

In the seventh Petition we ask, that God would pre- 
serve us from all evil of body and soul, especially from, 
sin and eternal perdition. " JI,' 

36. Why do we add the word **Amen**T 1 
We add ''Amen" or ''So be it" to express mn)^ wdmi^ 

(desire and our confidence of being heard. 



PRAYER, 125 

' Application. Always say the Lord's Prayer with great atten- 
ion, respect, and devotion, remembering that Our Lord, who 
aught us this prayer, prays with and tor us. It is a good prac- 
ice occasionally to recite slowly the Lord's Prayer, pondering on 
he words or petitions as we proceed. 

§ 2. The Angelical Salutation. 

Yj, What prayer do Catholics usually say after the Our Father? 
The prayer said in honor of the Mother of God, and 
jailed the Angelical Salutation, or ''Hail Mary.^^ 

**For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed." 
-St. Luke L 48. 

j8. How many parts has the ** Hail Mary** f 

The "Hail Mary^^ has two parts : a Prayer of Praise 
and a Prayer of Petition. 

59. Of what is the Prayer (jfP/'a^s^ composed? 

1, Of the words of the Archangel Gabriel: ^^Hail 
(Mary) full of grace, the Lord is with Thee; blessed art 
Thou among women;'' and, 

2, Of the words of St. Elizabeth: ^^ And blessed is the 
fruit of Thy womb'' (Jesus). — St. Luke i. 42. 

40. Why do we call Mary **full of grace**? 

1, We call Mary '^full of grace" because she was filled 
with grace even before Her birth; 

2, Because she ever increased in grace; 

3, Because she brought forth the Author of all grace. 

41. Why do we say: •* TJie Lord is with Thee**? 

We say "the Lord is tuith jTA^e," because the ever- 
blessed Virgin Mary was most closely united with God 
on earth, and is now, as Queen of all Saints, near to the 
throne of God in Heaven. 

42. Why do we say ** Blessed art Thou among women" 'i 

We praise Mary, because she was chosen from amongst 
all the daughters of Eve, to be the Virgin Mother of 
God. 

43. Why do we add these words: ''Blessed is the fruit of Thy 

womb, Jesus**? 

We add these words. 



U26 PR A YER. 

1, Because we praise Mary for the sake ^f Jesus; and^ 

2, Because we cannot venerate the Mother without 
at the same time adoring Her Divine Son. 

44. Of what words is the Prayer of Petition composed? 

The Prayer of Petition is composed of the words 
added by the Church: ''Holy Mary, Mother of God, 
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. 
Amen." 

45. Why were these words added by the Church? 

These words were added by the Church, to irnp^ore the 
intercession of the Blessed Virgin in all our necessities, 
and to obtain through Her the special grace of a happy 
death. 

46. Why is the Church-bell rung morning, noon, and night? 
To invite us to say the '' Angelus.'^ 

See ** the Angelus'' among the Prayers, page 133. 

X 47. Why do we say the Angelus? 
We say the Angelus, 

1, To give thanks to God for the Incarnation oi 
Christ; 

2, To honor the Blessed Virgin and to recommend 
ourselves to Her protection. 

X 48. What is the Rosary? 

The Eosary is a very useful and easy form of prayer, 
mental as well as vocal, introduced by St. Dominic in 
the thirteenth century; it has been approved by the 
Church, and is universally practised by good ChristianSo 

X 49. Of what does the Rosary consist? 

The Rosary consists of the Apostles^ Cr6ed, the Glory 
be to the Father, the Our Father, and the Hai! Mary, 
succeeding each other in a certain order, accompanied by 
meditation on the principal mysteries of our Kedemption. 

See page 139. 

Application, Honor the Blessed Virgin in a special manner; 
cultivate .childlike devotion to Her; recommend yourself ever^ 
day to Her powerful protection; call on Her m all your necessi- 
ties, troubles, and temptations. Strive especially to imitate He! 
charity, patience, humility, purity, and Her other virtues. 



CMREMONIES AND RELIGIOUS PkACTICES. 12^ 



CEREMONIES AND RELIGIOUS PRAC 
TICES OF THE CHURCH. 

S. What is meant by Ceremonies of the Church? 

Oertain significant signs or actions, ordained by the 
Church for the celebration of the Divine Service. 

X 2. Why do yon call Ceremonies significant signs or actions? 

Because they have a mystical meaning, elevating our 
gouls to religious and Divine things. 

Yor example: 

The Altar represents Calvary. 

The Vestments of the Priest remind us of the sufferings of 
our Saviour who is represented by the Priest during the Holj 
Sacrifice of the Mass. 

The Amice is a white linen veil which the priest first rests oil 
his head and then fastens round his shoulders. It represents the 
veil with which the Jews covered the face of Christ, when they 
buffeted Him in the house of Caiphas, and bade Him prophesy 
who it was that struck Him. — St. Luke xii. 64. 

The Alb is a large white tunic which descends to the feet.' 'It 
represents the white garment that Herod put on our Lord. 

The Cincture is a cord passed round the waist and used foi 
holding up the alb. 

The Maniple is a vestment which the priest carries upon hi« 
left arm. 

The Stole is a vestment which the priest passes around his 
neck and crosses over his breast. The cincture, maniple, and stole 
represent the cords and bands with w^hich our Lord was bouod 
during His Passion. 

The Chasuble, or outward vestment, represents the purple gar- 
ment with which Jesus was clothed in derision as a mock king in 
the house of Pilate. Upon this garment is a large cross to remind 
£« of that which Christ bore to Calvary. 

In these vestments the Church makes use of five colors, viz.: 
0) White, on the feasts of our Lord, of the Blessed Virgin, of the 
angels, and of saints that were not mart3^rs. (2) Bed, on the feasts 
of Pentecost, of the finding and exaltation of the cross, and of 
the apostles and martyrs. (3) Purple, which is the penitential 
color, used in the penitential times of Advent and Lent, and upon 
Vigils and Ember days. (4) Green, on most other Sundays and 
ordinary days throughout the year. (5) Blacky on Good Friday and 
In Masses for the Deado 



I2« CEREMONIES AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES. 

The Corporal is a square piece of linen upon which the Hos^ 
rests from the Offertory to the priest's Communion. 

The Pall is a square piece of linen, by which the cup of the 
chalice is covered. The corporal, the pall, and the altar-cloths, 
of T^hich there are three, represent the linen in which the dead 
body of Christ was shrouded and buried. 

The Chalice is the cup which the priest uses at the altar, in 
which to consecrate, and from which to receive, the precious 
Blood of our Lord. 

The Paten is a golden plate upon which the priest puts the 
Host, which he offers and consecrates in the Mass. 

The Ciborium is a sacred vessel resembling a chalice, closed 
with a lid, in which the Holy Eucharist is kept for giving Com- 
munion to the Faithful. 

The Monstrance is a kind of portable tabernacle made in such 
ft manner that the Blessed Sacrament may be distinctly seen by 
the Faithful. This vesse^l is sometimes called the "Remon- 
strance," or *'Ostensorium." 

Lighted Candles are always upon the altar during Mass, (1) to 
honor the victory and triumph of Jesus by these lights, which are 
lokens of our joy and of His glory; and (3) to denote the light of 
faith with which we are to approach Him, and to signify that 
Christ is **the true light which enlighteueth every man that com- 
«th into the world." 

The Missal is the Mass-book wherein the liturgy of the Mass is 
contained. 

A Small Bell is rung at certain times during Mass to give 
notice to such as cannot see the altar, of the more solemn parts 
of the sacrifice. 

Incense is symbolical of prayer, according to the words of 
David: **Let my prayer, O Lord, be directed as incense in Thy 
sight." The priest is incensed because he is the representative ot 
Jesus Christ. To offer incense to a person was a mark of great 
honor among the ancients. 

The Tabernacle Veil is to remind us of the hidden presence 
of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. 

By Standing^ during the Gospel, we manifest our respect for 
the word of God and our readiness to confess our Faith. 

The Ashes blest on Ash-Wednesday remind us that "we are 
dust, and unto dust we shall return," and that we must do pen* 
•nee. 

3. Why has the Church ordained Religious Ceremonies? 

The Church has ordained religious ceremonies to help 



CEREMONIES AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES, 1 29 

Bs to raise our souls to God and to the contemplation ot 
Divine things. 

Though many people assist at Divine Service without under 
standing the meaning of the ceremonies, yet even they will b% 
deeply impressed with the solemn nature of the Service, for in- 
stance, of Mass and the administration of the Sacraments, at 
which ceremonies are principally used. The Ceremonies of Holj 
Week, for instance, are particularly grand and impressive. 

X 4. Has God approved of the use of Ceremonies? 

Yes; God has approved of the use of Ceremonies; for, 

1, God Himself prescribed several kinds of ceremonies 
in the Old Law: 

2, Christ our Lord made use of various ceremonies, as 
when He healed the man that was deaf and dumb (St 
Mark vii.), when He gave sight to the man. born blind 
(St. Johnix.), etc. 

X 5. What are Confraternities? 

Confraternities are pious Associations, mostly approved 
of by the Popes, and established for purposes of mutual 
prayer and encouragement, for the performance of good 
works and the frequentation of the Sacraments. 

In Catholic countries we find a great variety of religious usages; 
for instance, the solemn escorting of the Blessed Sacrament, when 
it is borne to the sick; processions in the open air, with display 
of Cross and banners, with music, song, and prayer; Pilgrimages 
to Holy Places or Shrines: all of which beautiful practices, whea 
performed in strict accordance with the spirit and intention of the 
Church, are highly praiseworthy 




APPENDIX 



PRAYERS. 

The Holy Sign of the Cross, 

^ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

The Lord's Prayer (7 Petitions), 

Our Father who art in heaven, 
1, Hallowed be Thy name; 
2y Thy kingdom come; 

3, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; 

4, Give ns this day our daily bread; 

5, And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them 
who trespass against us; 

6, And lead us not into temptation; 

7, But deliver us from evil. Amen. 

The Angelical Salutation (3 Parts), 

1, Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with TheOp 
blessed art thou among women, 

2, And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. 

3, Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, 
BOW and at the hour of our death. Amen. 

The Apostles* Creed (12 Articles). 

1, I believe in God the Father Almighty^ Creator of 
heaven and earth; 

2, And in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, our Lord, 

3, Who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the 
Virgin Mary, 

4, Suffered under Pontius Pilate-, was crucified^ dead 
and buried; 

13U 



1 



APPENDi^^. 131 

5, He descended into hell; tKe third day He rose 
igain from the dead; 

6, He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand 
rf God the Father Almighty; 

7, From thence He shall come to judge the living and 
the dead. 

8, I believe in the Holy Ghost; 

9, The Holy Catholic Church, the communion of 
Saints; 

10, The forgiveness of sins; 

11, The resurrection of the body; 
13, And life everlasting. Amen. 

The Gloria Patri. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the? 
Holy Ghost ! As it was in the beginning, is now, and 
ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

The Conflteor. 

I confess to Almighty God, to the blessed Mary ever 
Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed 
John the Baptist, to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, 
and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in 
thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through 
my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I 
beseech the blessed Mary e^er Virgin, blessed Michael 
the Archangel, blessed Johu the Baptist, the Holy 
Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, to pray to 
the Lord our God for me. 

May the Almighty God have mercy on me, forgive 
me my sins, and bring me to everlasting life! Amen. 

May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant me par- 
don^ absolution, and remission of all my sinsl Amen. 

THE THREE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES. 
An Act of Faith. 

my God! I firmly believe all the sacred truths which 
^he Catholic Church believes and teaches, because Thou 
hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be 

daceivedo 



113^ jtPPENDIX, 

An Act of Hope. 

my God! relying upon Thy infinite goodness anfi 
promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the assist- 
ance of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the 
merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Kedeemer. 

An Act of Love. 

my God! I love Thee above all things with my whole 
heart and soul, purely because Thou art infinitely per- 
fect, and deserving of all love; I love also my neighbor 
as myself, for the love of Thee; I forgive all who have 
fajured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. 

An Act of Contrition. 

my God! I am most heartily sorry for all my sins, 
and I detest them above all things from the bottom of 
my heart, because they displease Thee, my God! who 
art most deserving of all my love; and I firmly purpose, . 
by Thy holy grace, never more to offend Thee, and to do | 
all that I can to atone for my sins and to amend my life* 

The Salve Regina. 

Hail holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our Life, our 
Sweetness, and our Hope; to thee do we cry, poor ban- 
ished sons of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, 
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, 
then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy 
towards us, and, after this our exile, show unto us the 
blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. clement, lov- 
ing, sweet Virgin Mary! 

The Memorare. 

Remember, most gracious Virgin Mary, that nevei' 
was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, 
implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left 
unaided. Inspired with this coniidence I fly unto thee, 
Virgin of Virgins, my Mother! To thee I come, be- 
fore thee I stand sinful and sorrowful. 

Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my 
petitions, but in thy, mercy hear and answer me. Ameiis 



APPENDIX. S33 

The Angelas* 

To be said Morning, Noon, and Night. 

J V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary* 
R. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Hail 
Mary! etc. 
j /lo V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. 

R. May it be done unto me according to Thy 
word. Hail Mary! etc. 
IIL V. And the Word was made flesh. 

E. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary! etCc 
V. Pray for us, holy Mother of God. 
E. That we may be made worthy of tlie promisei 
of Christ. 

Let U8 pray. 

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, Lord, Thy Grace into 
\>xxv hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ 
Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel; 
l^^y? by His passion and cross, be brought to the glory 
3f the resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

The Begina Coeli. 

(Said in place of the Angelus from Easter to Trinity Sunday,) 

Queen of heaven! rejoice. Alleluia; 

For He whom Thou wast made worthy to bear^ AUeluiaj 

Hath risen, as he said. Alleluia. 

Pray for us to our God, Alleluia, 

V. Eejoice and be glad, Virgin Mary, Alleluia, 

R. For the Lord hath risen indeed. Alleluia. 

Let us pray. 

God, who through the resurrection of Thy Son, oui 
Lord Jesus Christ, hast vouchsafed to make glad the 
world, grant us, we beseech Thee, that through the inter- 
cession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the 
joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord^ 

H. Amen. 

Prayer to the Guardian Angel. 

Angel of God, my guardian dear, 

To whom His love commits me here. 

Ever this day be at my side, 

To light and guard, to rule and guide, Amsri 



iry,v ^ APPENDIX. 

^r the Faithful Departed. 

G^o^ the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithfnk^ 
frant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remissio-a 
©f all their sins, that through the devout prayers of Thy 
Church on earth they may obtain that remission of paixk 
which they have ever desired: who livest and reigned- 
i£to. Amen, 

V, Eternal rest give to them, Lord I 

K. And let everlasting light enlighten thenu 

V, May they rest in peace. 

^ Amea 

Prayer to the Holy Ghost. 

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy fait! 
m^hi iiindle m them the fire of Thy love. 

V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created, 

U And Thou wilt renew the face of the earth. 

Let us pray. 

God I who oy the light of the Holy Ghost didst m 
itruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us by this samvS 
Holy Spirit, a love and relish of what is right and just,; 
and a constant enjoyment of His comforts, througfc 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 

A Prayer to be said before our Actions. 

Prompt, we beseech Thee, LordI our actions h% 
Thy holy inspiration, and carry them on by Thy gral 
(sious assistance, that every prayer and work of our^ 
may always begin from Thee, and by Thee be happils^ 
ftndedc Through Christ our Lord* Amen. 



MORNING PRAYERS. 

As soon as you awake make the sign of the cross and say*. 

Glory be to God the Father, who has created me 
(Slory be to God the Son, who has redeemed me. Glory 
iDe to God the Holy Ghost, who has sanctified me. 

Blessed be the Holy and undivided Trinity, now ami 
^T evermore. Amen. 



APPENDIX. 13s 

When dressed, kneel and say: In the name of the Father, etc 
great God, the Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth! 
t orostrate myself before Thee. With all the Angels 
aLd Saints I adore Thee. I acknowledge Thee to be 
my Creator and Sovereign Lord, my first beginning and 
my last end. I render to Thee the homage of my being 
and life. I submit myself to Thy holy will, and I 
devote myself to Thy divine service this day and forever. 
An Act of Faith, of Hope, of Love (page 132). 

An Act of Thanksgiving. 

glorious Trinity! I praise Thee and give Thee 
thanks for the numberless benefits Thou hast bestowed 
upon me. I thauk Thee, heavenly Father! for hav- 
ing created me to Thy own image and likeness, and for 
having preserved me to this day. I thank Thee, O 
merciful Son! for having redeemed me by Thy death, 
and so often fed me with thy precious body and blood. 
I thank Thee, Holy Ghost! for having cleansed my 
soul by Thy grace in holy baptism, for having called me 
to the true faith, and so often washed me from my sins 
in the sacrament of penance. I thank Thee, most 
bountiful God! for having preserved me the past 
night, and granting me this day to serve Thee. I ear- 
nestly invite all the saints of heaven and earth to join 
with me in praise and thanksgiving for Thy infinite 
goodness. 

Grant that I may spend this day well, and rather die 
than commit a mortal sin. 

my God! grant, I beseech Thee, that whatever I da 
this day may be pleasing to Thee; and vouchsafe to 
direct all my actions to Thy honor and glorjv 

To the Blessed Virgin. 

Mary, my Queen and my Mother, I offer myselt 
entirely to Thee, and in order to prove myself devoted 
to Thee, I consecrate to Thee this day my sight, my 
hearing, my speech, my heart, my whole being. 

Since, therefore, I am Thine, good Mother, pre« 
serve and defend me as Thy property and possessiono 



13^ APPENDIX. 

To the Angel Guardian and Patron Saint. 

blessed spirit whom God in His mercy has appointed 
4o watch over me, intercede for me this day, that I may 
not stray from the path of virtue. Thou also, happy 
Saint whose name I bear, pray for me, that I may serve 
God faithfully in this life, as Thou hast done, and 
glorify Him eternally with Thee in heaven. Amen. 

Our Father, Hail Mary, I believe in God, Salve 
Kegina (pages 130-132). 

The Angelus Domini (page 133). 

May the divine assistance remain always with us, and 
may the souls of the faithful departed, through the 
mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. 

May the peace and blessing of Almighty God, the 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend upon us and 
remain with us forever. Amen. 

Before you begin your work say: 

my God! I offer Thee this work; vouchsafe to give 
it Thy blessing. 

During the Day. 

Baise your mind to God from time to time, especially when 
you hear the clock strike, saying: 

Grant, my God! that all the actions of this hour, 
and those of every moment of my life, may be to Thy 
honor and glory. 

As soon as you perceive you have fallen into any sin, ask par- 
don for it, saying: 

my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended 
Thee. I make a firm resolution, with the help of Thy 
grace, never more to fall into this sin, to confess it, to do 
penance for it, and avoid the occasions of it. 

Before meals say : 

4* In the name of the Father, etc., Our Father, etc., 
Hail Mary, etc. 

Bless us, Lord! and these. Thy gifts, which we are 
about to receive from Thy bounty^ through Christ ou2 
Lord. Amen« 



APPENDIX. lyi 

After meals say: 

"^ In the name of the Father, etc., Our Father, etc., 
flail Mary, etc. 

We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for all Thy 
benefits, who livest and reignest, world without endo 
Amen. 



EVENING PRAYERS. 

At night, before going to bed, kneel down and say the followicg 
prayers: 

^ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Blessed be the Holy and undivided Trinity, now and 
for evermore. Amen. 

Come, Holy Ghost! fill the hearts of Thy faithful, 
and kindle in them, the fire of Thy divine love. 

Vlace yourself in the presence of God. 

Great God! Lord of heaven and earth! I prostrate 
myself before Thee. With all the Angels and Saints I 
adore Thee. I acknowledge Thee to be my Creator and 
Sovereign Lord, my first beginning and my last end. I 
render to Thee the homage of my being and life. I 
submit myself to Thy holy will, and I devote myself to 
Thy divine service now and forever. 

Here repeat the Acts of Faith, Hope and Love (pages 131, 132)l. 
Then return thanks to God for the favors bestowed on you. 

How shall I be able to thank Thee, Lord! for all 
Thy favors? Thou hast thought of me from all eternity; 
Thou hast brought me forth from nothing; Thou hast 
given Thy life to redeem me, and thou continuest daily 
to load me with Thy favors. Alas! my God, what re- 
hmi can I make Thee for all Thy benefits, and particu- 
larly for the favors of this day? Join me, ye blessed 
Spirits, and all ye elect, in praising the God of mercies, 
who is so good to so unworthy a creaturCo 



138 APPENDIX. 

Ask for Light to discover the sins you have committed this 
day. 

Holy Ghost! Eternal source of light, show me, I 
beseech Thee, the sins I have committed this day in 
thought, word and action, and grant me a perfect sorrow 
for them. 

Examine your conscience, — Reflect where you have 
been this day, in what company, etc. Call to mind the 
duties of your state and your different offences. 

Against God. — Omission or negligence in religious 
duties; irreverence in church; wilful distractions at 
prayer; oaths; murmurings; want of confidence and 
resignation. 

Against your neighior. — Rash judgments; hatred; 
jealousy; contempt; desire of revenge; quarrelling; pas- 
sion; imprecations; injuries; detraction; raillery; dam- 
aging in goods or reputation; bad example; scandal; 
want of obedience, respect, charity or fidelity. 

Against yourself. — Vanity; human respect; lies, 
thoughts, desires, discourses or actions contrary to 
purity; intemperance; impatience or rage; sloth. 

Say the Confiteor (page 131). { 

Act of Contrition (page 132). 

Pour down Thy blessing, Lord! on thy Holy Chr^rch, 
on our Holy Father the Pope, on this diocese, on our Rt. 
Kev. Bishop (or Most Rev. Archbishop) and all pastors 
of souls; on this country, on our superiors temporal and 
spiritual, on our congregation; on this family, on our 
parents, relations, benefactors, friends and enemies. 
Help the poor, the sick, and those that are in their 
agony; convert all heretics and enlighten the infidels. 

Pray for the Faithful Departed (see page 134). 

Memorare (page 132). 

my Holy Angel ! be thou my protector. And thou 
my Holy Patron Saint N. and all the Saints of God, 
pray to the Lord our God for me. Glory be to the 
Father, etc. 

On going to bed say: 

4* In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ crucifieu I lay 
myself down to rest; may He bless, govern and preserve 
me. and brin^ me to everlasting life. Amen. 



APPENDI^^. 139 



THE ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN, 

I 

In the name of tlie Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Hcl;^ Ghost. Amen, 
I behevfc in God the Father, etc., 
Our Father, etc., 
Hail Mary, three times. 
Glory be to the Father, etc. 

THE FIRST PART. 

The Five Joyful Mysteries. 

First Mystery. — The Incarnation. Our Father^ ten 
Hail Marys, Glory he to the Father. 

Second Mystery. — The visitation of the Blessed V^irgin 
to her cousin St. Elizabeth. Our Father, etc. 

Third Mystery. — The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ 
in Bethlehem. Our Father, etc. 

Fourth Mystery. — The presentation of our Blessed 
Lord in the temple. Our Father, etc. 

Fifth Mystery. — The finding of the Child Jesus in 
the temple. Our Father, etc. "Hail, Holy ^ Queen^^ 
{page 132). 

V. Pray for us, holy mother of God. 

E. That we may be made worthy of the promises of 
Christ. 
I Let us pray. 

God, whose Only Begotten Son, by His life, death 
9-nd resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of 
eternal life! grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating 
upon these mysteries in the most holy Eosary of the 
Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, 
and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

^ In the name of the Father, etc. 



140 APPENDIX. 

THE SECOND PART. 

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries. 

First Mystery. — The prayer and bloody sweat of our 
Blessed Saviour in the garden. Our Father, etc. 

Second Mystery. — The scourging of our Blessed Lord 
at the pillar. Our Father, etc. 

Third Mystery. — The crowning of our Blessed Sayiour 
with thorns. Our Father, etc. 

Fourth Mystery. — Our Saviour carrying His cross. 
Our Father, etc. 

Fifth Mystery. — The Crucifixion. Our Father, etc. 
"Hail, Holy Queen,^^ etc., "Pray for us,^^ etc., and 
"0 God,'^ etc., as in First Part. 



THE THIRD PART. 

The Five Glorious Mysteries. 

First Mystery. — The resurrection of Christ from the 
dead. Our Father, etc. 



1 



Secokd Mystery. — The ascension of Christ into heaven. 
Our Father, etc. 

Third Mystery. — The coming of the Holy Ghost upon 
the Apostles and disciples. Our Foiher, etc. 

Fourth Mystery. — The assumption of the Blessed 
Virgin Mary into heaven. Our Father, etc. 

Fifth Mystery. — The coronation of the Blessed Virgin 
Mary in heaven. Our Father, etc. "Hail, Holy 
Queen,'' etc., "Pray for us,'' etc., and "0 God,"etc. 

The Eight Beatitudes.— St. Matt. v. 

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the 
kingdom of heaveUo 

2. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the 
land. 



APPENDIX. 1411 

3. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be 
comforted. 

4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after jus-= 
tice; for they shall be filled. 

5. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain 
mercy. 

6. Blessed are the clean of heart; for they shall see 
God. 

7. Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be 
called the children of God. 

8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice^ 
sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

The Pour Last Things to be Remembered. 

1, Death; 2, Judgment; 3, Heaven; 4, Hell. ^^In 
all thy works remember thy last end and thou shalk 
never sin.'' — Ecclus. vii. 40. 



Pious Ejaculations. 

To be repeated often during the day. There is an IndiUgence 
attached to each of these short prayers. 

Jesus, Mary, Joseph! I give my heart and soul to you, 
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! assist me in life and in death. 
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! may I expire in your sweet em- 
brace. 
(An Indulgence of 100 days for each of these three aspirations.) 

May the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate 
Heart of Mary be forever praised, blessed, loved, served^ 
and glorified by men and Angels. Amen. 

(Indulgence 60 days every day.) 

May the most just, most high, and most amiable will 
of God be done in all things, be praised and magnified 
forever. 



My sweetest Jesus, be not my judge, but my SavioWc 



Jesus, my God, I love Thee above all things 



1142 APPENDIX. 

Eternal Father! I offer Thee the precious bloodi ain 

J'esus, in satisfaction for my sins, and for the wants (^l 
Holy Church. 

sweetest heart of Jesus! I implore 
That 1 may ever love Thee more and mom. 

Bweet heart of Mary, be my salvation! 

St, Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for ti« 



MANNER OF SERVING AT MASS. 

jLet the Server kneel at the left side of the Priest, and answer t^ 

follows: 

Priest. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Ame^ 
Sntroibo ad altare J^^i. 

Server* Ad Deum qui laetiflcat juventntem meam. 

P. Judica me, Deus; et discerne causam meam de gente noo 
sancta: ab homine iniquo et doloso erue me, 

S. Quia tu es, Deus, fortitude mea, quare me repute 
Usti? et quare tristis incedo, dum affligit me inimicusF 

P. Emitte tucem tuam et veritatem tuam- ipsa me deduxeruol 
(gt adduxerunt in montem sanctum tuum, et in tabeniacula tua. 

Sr Et introibo ad altare Dei? ad Deum qui laetificat 
juventutem meam. 

P. Confitebor tibi in cithara, Deus, Deus meus^ quare tristij: 
fis, anima mea, et quare conturbas me? 

S. Spera in Deo, quoniam adtiuc confitebor illi, eaiu^ 
toe vultus mei, et Deus mens, 

P, Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spirifcui Sancio, 
Sr. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, ©?S ;"5*; 
s^acula saecnlorum. Amen. 

F. Introibo ad altare Dei. 

So Ad Deum tjm l^tificat juventutem meaE?., 



'APPENDIX. 343 

P. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini, 
S. Qui fecit coelum et terrain. 

P, Confiteor Deo, etc. 

Bow your head when the Priest begins the Confiteor ^ and con^ 
dnue bent till the Dominus vobiscum. 

S. Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimissis pec- 
catis tuis, perducat te ad vitam aeternam. 

P. Amen. 

S. Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae sempe/r 
Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Bap- 
tistae, Sanctis apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis 
et tibi, pater [here turn your head ^oivards the .Priest^ 
and then go 071], quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo^ 
et opere [striking your ireast thrice, say\ mea culpa^ 
mea culpa, mea maxima culpa : ideo precor beatam 
Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Micliaelem Archan- 
gelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos 
Petrum et Paulum, omnes sanctos, et te, pater [her^ 
turn again towards the Priest^, orare pro me ad Domi- 
num Deum nostrum. 

P. Misereatur vestri, etc. 
S. Amen. 

P. Indulgentiam, etc. 
S. Amen. 

P. Deus tu conversus vivificabis nos. 
S. Et plebs tua laetabitur in te. 

P. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuasa* 
S. Et salutare tuum da nobis. 

P. Domine, exaudi orationem raeam. 
S. Et clamor mens ad te veniat. 

P, Dominus vobiscum. 
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. 

ter the Introit, 
P, Kyrie eleison. 
S. Kyrie eleison. 

P, Kyrie eleison. 
S. Christe eleison 

P. Christe eleison. 
S- Christe eleisoB* 



5r44 dFFENDm. 

p. Kyrie eleisou. 

S. Kyrie eleison* 

p. Kyrie eleison. 

P, Dominus vobiscumj c>r, Flectamus ^^isa 

S. Et cum spiritu tuo; or, Levateo 

P. Per omnia ssecula sseculorum, 
Sc Amen* 

At the end of the Epistle say, Beo gratias, and after %m 
Gradual and Alleluia, or Tract, remove the book tc the Gospeli 
side of the altar, and return to the Epistle side — make a genuflee^ 
tion or a low reverence as you pass the middle of the altasf. the)s 
•Itand up whilst the Gospel is read. 

At the GospeL 
P. Dominus vobiscum. 
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. 

P. Initium, or Sequentia, sancti Evangelii, eta 

Here make the sign of the cross — 1st, upon your forehead;^, 
id, upon your mouth, 3d, upon your breast, and say, Qlori4i tU»{ 
JDomine, 

At the end of the Gospel, say, 

S. Laus tibi, Cliriste. 

P. Dominus vobiscum. 

S. Et cum spiritu tuo. 

At the Offertory. 

Going to the middle of the altar, kneel and make a reverence, 
then proceed to prepare the wine and water; present them to tb* 
Priest, making a reverence; afterwards pour water on his fingers^ 
present him with a towe^ and return to your place at Uie EpistM 
side of the altar. 

P. Orate fratres, eta 

S. Suscipiat Dominus sacrificium de manibus im§ mij 
laudem et gloriam nominis sui, ad utilitatem giEMM 
laostram^ totiusque Ecclesiae suae sanctse. 

At the Prefaea 

P. Per omnia ssecula sseculorum. 

S. Amen. 

P. Dominus vobiscum. 
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. 

P. Sursum corda. 

S. Habemus ad Dominum. 

P. Gratias agamus Domino Deo n0StiC)> 
S. Dignum et justum est 

When the Priest says, Smtetm, mm^m: sane^us^ m^c^^rM^ ^H 
i^ll each time- M pzronounceg kk Whe® .M mm%d§ hh taQ^' 



1 



APPENDIX. 145 

over the chalice, ring the bell; then proceed to the centre of thr 
ailar, where, kneeling, ring the bell with your right, and hold up 
the vestment with your left hand, during the Elevation; thea 
return to your former place- and as often as you pass by th« 
Blessed Sacrament, make a genuflection, 

P Per omnia saecula sseculorum, 
S, Amen, 

P. Et ne nos inducas m tentationem, 
S, Sed libera nos a malo, 

P. Per omnia ssecula saBculorum. 
S. Amen. 

P. Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum, 
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. 

At the Communion. 

Each time the Priest says, Lomine non sum dtgnus, ring th© 
bell. When he has received the chalice, serve him with win^ 
only; on his presenting the chalice again, serve him with wine 
find water. Remove the book to the Epistle side of the altar, and 
tetire to your place on the Gospel side. 

P. Dominus vobiscum. 
S. Et cum spiritu tuo. 

P. Per omnia ssecula saeculomm 
S. Amen. 

P. Dominus vobiscum. 
8. Et cum spiritu tuo. 

P, Ite, missa est; <?r, Benedicamus Domina 
S. Deo gratias. 

Note. — In Masses for the Dead, the Priest says, 

P. Requiescat in pace. 
S. Amen. 

. Remove the book If left open, kneel before the centre of tim 
ftltar and receive the Priest's blessing. 

p. Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus. 

S. Amen, 

Then rise. 

Pc Dominus vobiscum. 

So Et cum spiritu tuo. 

P. Initium, &i%^ Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum, ctCb 

Sc Gloria tibi, Domine, 

At the end of the Gospel, say, 

S. Deo gratias. 

C4ive the Priest hiA biretta or eao. ftnd go before him to Ubi, 
JaBctuarjr. 



THE EOCLESIASTICAI 
YEAR. 



The Ecclesiastical Year is the cycle of holy seasons 
^nd days ordained by the Church, beginning with the 
first Sunday in Advent and closing with the last Sunday 
after Pentecost. Its object is: 

1, To bring to our mind, in the course of the year^ 
the principal mysteries of Christianity; 

2, To praise God and give Him thanks; 

3, To impress more deeply on our minds the mys^ 
teries of religion; 

4, To make us partakers of many graces; and, 

5, To encourage us to lead a holy life. 



I. The Seasons of the Ecclesiastical Year are c 

1, Advent, from the first Sunday in Advent to 
Christmas; 

2, Le7it, from Ash- Wednesday to Easter Sunday; 

3, Easter, from Easter Sunday to Trinity Sundayo 

Note. The times from Christmas to Lent, and from Trinity 
Sunday to the first Sunday in Advent, have no particular nameSc 

The season of Advent prepares as for the birth of 
Christ in our hearts. " Prepare ye the way of the 
Lord.^' — St. Luke iii. 4. 

The season of Leyit is set aside to prepare us for 
Easter and for our spiritual resurrection. 

The season of Easter calls us to rejoice at Our Blessed 
Lord's Kesurrection, and to rise to a new life, that maj 
ensure our promised glory in heaven. 

Note. The Feasts marked X are the Holy-days of obligation 



fr'ME RCCZMSIASTICAL YMAM. I47 



II. Chief Feasts of Our Lord 

>X >^o v0HRiSTi!dAS— the 25th of December— 

The celebration of Christ's Nativity in a stable %k\k 
Bethlehem On this day priests are allowed to say three* 
Masses in honor of the threefold birth of Our Divine 
Saviour; 

1, His eternal birth in the bosom of His Father; 

2, His te77iporal birth in the stable at Beihlehemj 

3, His spiritual birth in the hearts of the just. 

K The Circumcision— 1st of January— 

The day on which Our Lord received the adorabk 
aiame Jesus. 

As it is the first day of the New Year, we thank God 
for His favors in the past year, and beg for a continu- 
ance of His bounty in the new year. 

The Epiphany— 6th of January*-^ 

In memory of Our Blessed Saviour's manifestation U 
the Gentiles, represented by three Kings of the East, 
who, guided by a wonderful star^ came to adore th<i 
Pivine Infant. 

Easter Sunday^ 

The celebration of Our Blessed Lord's gllorious Eesui^^ 
erection from the dead. His triumph over death and hell,, 
the completion of the Eedemption, and our hope of i^ 
iiappy resurrection. 

X The Ascension of Our Lord into Leaven, on th» fortieth daj 
after Easter. 

ItoTECOST— the fiftieth day after Easter— = 

Commemorates the coming of the Holy Ghcst on tfet 
Apostles. 

Corpus Christi-^ 

A feast instituted to give special adoration to tht 
)Sody and Blood of Jesub Christy really present in th# 



148 THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR. 

Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. This festival is kept on 
the first Tlmrsday after Trinity Sunday. 

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus — 

Kept on the Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christl, 
to honor the infinite love of the Heart of Jesus for all 
mankind, and, in some manner, to repair the outrages to 
which He is exposed in the Blessed Eucharist. 

III. Principal Feasts of the Blessed Virgin. 

X Immaculate Conception — 8th of December — 

On this day we celebrate the singular privilege by 
which the Blessed Virgin from the first instant of her 
conception, by a special grace of God, in virtue of the 
merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of mankind, was pre- 
served intact from every taint of original sin. 

This is the Patronal Feast of the United States. 

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin— 8th of September. 

The Presentation of the Blessed Yirgin — 21st of Novem* 
ber — 

Mary, when three years old, was presented in the 
temple of Jerusalem by her parents, St. Joachim and Si 
Anne, in order to offer herself to the Lord. 

The Annunciation— 25th of March— 

A feast kept in honor of the Archangel Gabriel being 
sent to our Blessed Lady at Nazareth, to announce to 
her that she was chosen to be the Mother of God. 

The Purification — 2d of February- 
Forty days after Christ's birth Mary presented Him 
in the temple at Jerusalem. This day is also called 
Candlemas, because the Church blesses her candles for 
use during the year, as Christ, ''a light to the revelation 
of the Gentiles and the glory of His people Israel" (St. 
Luke ii. 32), appeared for the first time in the temple. 

It is a time-honored custom to take candles to the 
church, to have them blessed. 



THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR. I49 

.^tf'KAST OF THE Seven Dolors OF Sorrows of Mary — on the Fri< 
day after Passion Sunday — 

In memory of the Blessed Virgin's Sorrows, which 
were chiefly seven: 

1, Simeon's prophecy: ^^ And thy own soul a sworcj 
shall pierce;" 

2, The flight into Egypt; 

3, The three days' loss of Jesus; 

4, The carrying of the Cross; 

5, The Crucifixion; 

6, The receiving the lifeless body of Jesus from the 
©ross; 

7, The burial of Jesus. 

X The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into heaven — 15th 
of August — 

On this feast we rejoice that Mary, soul and body, was- 
taken up into heaven after her death. 

There are other special occasions for honoring the 
Blessed Virgin in a particular manner; for instance, the 
Month of May, on each day of which an indulgence of 
300 days, and once in that month a plenary indulgence, 
can be gained by those who perform some daily devotion, 
in honor of Mary either at church or at home; the 
Feast of the Rosary, on the 7th of October ; the Feast ot 
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, or of the Scapular, on the 16tb 
of July. 



IV. Feasts of Saints. 

X On the 1st of November the Church celebrates the 
memory of All Sai:n'TS, especially of those who have no 
fixed festivals during the year. This feast is followed by 
the CoMMEMOEATiON OF All Souls, a day set apart by 
the Church to have prayers offered for all the faithful 
departed. 

On almost each day of the year the memory of some 
saint or saints is kept, as may be learned from a Calen- 
dar of Saints. Some of the popular feasts of Saints may 
here be mentioned: 



150 THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR. 

March 17th — Feast of St. Patrick, Apostle of Irelando 
March 19th — Feast of St. Joseph, the foster-father of 

Jesus and patron of the universal Church. 
June 29th — Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, the first th@ 

Prince of the Apostles, the latter the great Apostle 

of the Gentiles. 

Dec. 26th — Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr. 

Dec. 27th— Feast of St. John the Evangelist, the "" be- 
loved disciple." 

There are patronal feasts for countries, dioceses, and 
churches. 

The following should be the favorite feasts of chil- 
dren: 

June 21st — Feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the patroB 
of youth; 

Oct. 2d — Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. 

Dec. 28th — Feast of the Holy Innocents. 

The Vigils of feasts are the eves of certain great festi- 
vals, a preparation for such feasts. 

By the Octave of a feast we mean the eight days suc- 
ceeding a feast. 



V. Other Holy Seasons. 

1. Holy Week, before Easter, during which the Pas- 
sion and Death of Our Lord are commemorated. Holy 
Week begins with Palm Sunday, on which day palms 
are blessed in memory of Our Lord's triumphant entry 
into Jerusalem. On the Thursday of Holy Week, called 
Maundy-Thursday, we celebrate the institution of the 
Blessed Eucharist. In cathedrals the holy oils are 
blessed on this day. 

2. The Eniber Weeks are ordained to sanctify the four 
reasons of the year by prayer and fast. They are: 

1^ The week after the third Sunday in Advent; 

2., The week after the first Sunday in Lent; 

S, The week after Pentecost^ 



1 



THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR. 



15X 



4, The week after the feast of the Exaltation of the 
/Foss, kept on the 14th of September. 

3, The Rogation Days are days on which special sup- 
plication is made for pardon of sins, peace, the fruits of 
he earth, etc. They are the Monday, Tuesday^ and 
Ve4nesday of the fifth week after Easter^ 




COE^TSNTS. 



PAGE 

lPREFAOJBI . cr.»eo«.......e 3 

Lay BAPTiSM..ccc,.ce.c....,c 5 
Explanation op Abbreviations 

AND Marks Used 6 

Introduction. — The End for 

Which We are Created. „ .,.,. 7 
FartL— Faith. coo. C....C... CO., 8 
§1. The Meaning and Object 

of Faith......... *c..o.c 8 

§2. Necessity of Faith.. coo. cc 10 

§3. Qualities of Faith . « 11 

f he Apostle's Creed 12 

The First Article of the Creed 12 

§1. God 12 

§2. The Three Divine Per- 
sons . = c cc 16 

|3. The Creation and Gov- 
ernment of the World.... 17 

§4. TheAngels c».18 

§5. Man and His Fall, ccc.c 20 
The Second Article of the 

Creed .«... 22 

The Third Article of the Creed 24 

§1. Incarnation of Jesus 
Christ 24 

§2. The Youth of Jesus 
Christ cc...... 26 

§3. Pubhc Life of Jesus 

Christ. ...o 27 

The Fourth Article of the 

Creed.. ......c...... 28 

The Fifth Article of the Creed 30 
The Sixth Article of the 

Creed 31 

The Seventh Article of the 

Creed 31 

The Eighth Article of the 

Creed 34 

"Vhe Ninth Article of the 

Creed. .........c.c.c. ...... 35 



?AG& 

§1. The Church in General, 35 
§2. The Marks of the Church 37^. 
§3. Other Qualities of the ' 
True Church of Christ. 3^ 
§4. The Communion of 
Saints ......... c . ,,....., 41 

The Tenth Article of the 

Creed c ....... 43 

The Eleventh Article of the 

Creed . . . c o . , . . . . 42 

The Twelfth Article of the 

Creed „, 43 

Part II.— The Commandments.. = 46 
The Chief Commandments .... 46 

§1. The Love of God -. 47 

§2. Christian Love of Self and 
of Our Neighbor .......... 47 

The Ten Commandments of 

God o. ....,.,50-70 

The Commandments of the 

Church ..........70-75 

The Violation of the Command- 
ments , o o o . . . . 76 

§1. Smin General o. 76 

§2. The Different Classes of 

Sin ...occo. 78 

Virtue and Christian Perfection 81 

§1. Virtue o oo 81 

§2. Christian Perfection. ..... 83 

Part ni.— The Means of Grace 85 
§1. Grace in General.... CO.. 85 

§2. Actual Graco ....cc. 85 

§3. SanctifyingGrace...occco 86 
The Sacraments . ....-.-. ..oooc 88 

Baptism ., = =,...- « o o « 90 

Confirmation ......00..0 92 , 

The Holy Eucharist 94 | 

§1. The Real Presence of 
Christ in the Blessed sac- 
rament, .c — ............ 24 



€OI^TENT& 



153 



PAGE 

|2. Tne Holy Sacrifice of the 

Mass ...:... , 97 

§3. Holy Communion .... 100 

Penance 103 

§1. Prayer to the Holy Ghost 104 
I §3. Examination of Con- 
science 105 

§3. Contrition 105 

§4. Firm Purpose of Amend- 
ment , 107 

§5. Confession. ....,...,...., .109 

§6. Satisfaction Ill 

Indulgences 112 

Extreme Unction...,....,,.. ..114 

Holy Orders 11 5 

Matrimony ,..,... .116 

Sacramentals ,....118 

Prayer 120 

§1. The Lord's Prayer 123 

§2. The Angelical Salutation. 125 
Ceremonies and Religious Prac- 
tices of the Church. 127 

4PPKNDIX,— Prayers 130 

The Lord's Prayer ..130 

The Angelical Salutation... 130 
The Apostle's Creed ..... .130 

4'h« Gloria Patri . . , o . . , , .131 



PAOI 

The Conflteor .131 

The Acts of Faith, Hope, 
Love, and Contrition. . , .,132 

The Salve Regina 132 

The Memorare 132 

TheAngelus 133 

The Regina Cceli 133 

Prayer to the Guardian 

Angel 133 

For the Faithful Departed. 134 
Prayer to the Holy Ghost. .134 
Prayer to be said after our 

Actions 134 

Morning Prayers 134 

Evening Prayers 137 

The Rosary of the Blessed 

Virgin 139 

Pious Ejaculations ,141 

Manner of Serving at Mass. . . 142 
The Ecclesiastical Year 146 

1. The Seasons of the Ecclesi- 
astical Year 146 

2. Chief Feasts of Our Lord.. 147 

3. Principal Feasts of the 
Blessed Virgin ,148 

4. Feasts of Saints ,.149 

" Other Holy Seasons. . . . c 150 



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ySRARY OF CONGRESS 

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